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School of Music

Jazz Studies

DownBeat Magazine names MTSU, one of the five gems of Jazz Education


Overview

The MTSU Jazz Studies Area is a vital facet of the MTSU School of Music, offering a course of study leading to a Bachelor of Music or Masters of Music in Jazz Studies. MTSU Jazz Ensembles provide performing opportunities for all MTSU students and the Jazz Studies Program enhances the cultural life of both the university and community, most notably through the MTSU Jazz Artist Series and the annual MTSU Illinois Jacquet Jazz Festival. Jazz performance scholarships, and graduate teaching assistantship opportunities are also available to qualified students.

Facilities at the School of Music include master classrooms with multi-media capabilities, the music computer lab, percussion practice areas, the Dr. John Duke Jazz Rehearsal Hall, T. Earl Hinton Music Hall, and many practice rooms.  The jazz area also enjoys a valuable relationship with the Department of Recording Industry and its state-of-the-art facilities and award-winning faculty.

Each year, several guest artists and clinicians visit the campus to present concerts, perform with student ensembles, and give workshops and master classes. Previous artist/clinicians include Rufus Reid, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Phil Woods, Dave Douglas, Tim Hagans, Jimmy Heath, David Liebman, Lee Konitz, Arturo Sandoval, Bob Mintzer, Karrin Allyson, Peter Bernstein, James Williams, Snooky Young, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Matt Wilson, Bill Cunliffe, and many others. 

Students can enjoy the diverse cultural offerings of Nashville (located just 30 minutes away) and create valuable life-long relationships in the arts and music industry communities.

For more information, visit the links on this page or E-mail Jamey Simmons, Coordinator of Jazz Studies.

Audio Files:

MTSU Jazz Ensemble I

  1. Everyday I Have the Blues by B.B. King
  2. Train by Chris Potter, arr. Brandon Moore
  3. Chicken on the Hill With Will by Don Aliquo, arr. Jamey Simmons


External Links