Music 373 - Jazz Composition

Drawing from the rich and varied history of composition in jazz, this course explores composing and arranging approaches in jazz and highlights the dynamic relationship between composition and improvisation central to this music. Using historical examples as models, students will compose and arrange small ensemble, large ensemble, and big band pieces, including pieces that incorporate blues forms, 32-bar Tin Pan Alley forms, modalism, extended and through-composed forms, and open improvisation. Immersive composition projects will be combined with individual meetings. To the extent possible, student compositions will be performed and recorded by professional or student musicians in a workshop setting.

Requisite: Students are encouraged to complete MUSI 213 or a course in jazz history prior to electing MUSI 387. Limited to 12 students. Spring Semester. Professor Robinson.

How to handle overenrollment: Music majors, then students with jazz performance experience, then seniors, juniors, and sophomores

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Students will compose original pieces and arrangements, study recordings and scores of historical examples in jazz composition, and learn from other composing and arranging resources. A series of composing and arranging deadlines will form the primary assessments in the course, which will culminate in a reading session of student pieces.