Music - Instrumental Performance

At UArts, you'll develop your individual musical voice as you learn the fundamentals through hands-on education and private lessons with our professional performing and recording artist faculty. You'll get exposure to all styles and genres of music while having the flexibility to focus on your particular niche. There are lots of opportunities for collaboration and concert performances – with other Instrumental Performance students as well as with guest performers and students in the Vocal Performance, Dance and Theater programs.

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Sample Courses in the Instrumental Performance Major

About the Curriculum

The Instrumental Performance curriculum provides a direct and practical education for students interested in establishing a career in jazz and/or contemporary music.  The core of this curriculum includes theory and musicianship, piano, improvisation, technology, and music business.  Additional study topics include recording, acoustics, orchestration, arranging, and an array of music history and literature courses. 

Students receive weekly, one-hour private lessons in their major area with renowned artist teachers. Ensemble and performance opportunities play a critical part in the student’s education by sharpening technical and improvisation skills and increasing the student’s command of repertoire and styles.

Areas of Concentration:  Clarinet, Saxophone, Woodwinds, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Guitar, Electric and/or Upright Bass, Violin, Cello, Percussion, Drums, Hand Drums, Vibes, Piano, Flute

Woodwind majors may elect to enroll in a woodwind specialist program that includes the study of various woodwind instruments.

Students successfully completing the Instrumental Performance program will demonstrate:

• Strong technique and artistry through the study of varied repertoire and technique exercises;
• Knowledge and understanding of contemporary and traditional music theory;
• Knowledge of fundamental aural skills through singing, sight-reading, dictation and solo transcription;
• Understanding of jazz forms, improvisational concepts, and how to apply them to a broad range of musical styles;
• Ability to collaborate artistically with other performers, both vocal and instrumental, as a performer, arranger, creator and leader;
• Ability to compose, orchestrate and create musical arrangements;
• Knowledge of current technological applications to assist in the creation of one’s art.

To earn the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Jazz Studies: Instrumental Performance, students will complete a total of 129 credits as follows:

• 61.5 credits in the Instrumental Performance Major
• 4.5 credits in Creative Practices and Collaborative Studio
• 9 credits in Music History
• 33 credits in the Liberal Arts
• 21 credits in free Electives

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