Jazz Studies
Study jazz in a vibrant scene
Study with top jazz performers and composers in the heart of a vibrant jazz scene. We offer two undergraduate Jazz Studies degrees, a doctoral Jazz Studies minor, jazz ensembles and undergraduate and graduate coursework in jazz improvisation, composition and arranging, and history.
There are many opportunities for UW–Madison students to enhance their formal studies with gigs in Madison and beyond, from the Hamel Music Center, to the Wisconsin Union Memorial Terrace, and to our long-running partnerships with Tandem Press, the Overture Center, Café Coda jazz club, the Arts + Literature Laboratory, North Street Cabaret, and many more.
Related Resources
Degrees offered
We offer two undergraduate Jazz Studies degrees. The Bachelor of Music in Performance (Jazz Studies track) is a credit-intensive degree program that prepares students for the profession of music performance. The Bachelor of Arts in Music (Jazz Studies track) allows students the flexibility to pursue a broad-based liberal arts degree while still maintaining a primary focus on jazz performance studies.
Both the BM and the BA degrees include eight semesters of one-on-one jazz instruction on students’ major instruments, guaranteed participation in one of the jazz ensembles during each semester, weekly jazz studio classes with jazz faculty and visiting guest artists, and a comprehensive curriculum of theory and composition, history, and improvisation courses.
Many students in the jazz area also pursue dual majors, combining the BA in Music (Jazz Studies track) with a very wide range of other majors from across the university. Depending on a variety of factors (including the number of credits required in a student’s other majors and possible AP credits), many students are able to complete their dual major degrees within four years.
For application information, including deadlines, procedures, and admission requirements, visit music.wisc.edu/undergraduate-admissions/
Questions? Contact Director of Jazz Studies Johannes Wallmann to learn more about the Jazz Studies program.
Admissions
Visit the Graduate Admissions page for detailed information on application requirements. Review the Graduate Application Guide as well as the additional information for the Jazz area.
Degree Requirements
For detailed information on coursework, exams, recitals, etc., visit the Graduate Advising KnowledgeBase. Review the Jazz degree worksheet for specific details.
Jazz faculty
Jazz performance classes
Our Jazz Studies program offers a weekly jazz performance class for students. Presenters include our faculty and guest musicians traveling through Madison.
In addition to performing for and with the guest presenter, the class tackles current issues and aesthetics in jazz music. Classes help strengthen an understanding of what it means to be a jazz musician and the technical facility it requires, and provide a forum to discuss issues related to the music business.