BA in Music - JAAMS (Jazz and African American Music Studies) in Boston United States | University of Massachusetts Amherst

The Bachelor of Arts in Jazz & African American Music Studies offers a liberal arts-focused curriculum, ideal for students considering a dual major in music and another discipline. This program is less demanding musically compared to the Bachelor of Music degree. The coursework can typically be finished within six semesters.
This music degree provides a more flexible option than the Bachelor of Music, making it suitable for double majors or those seeking a broader liberal arts background. While sharing core requirements with the Bachelor of Music program, it excludes Class Piano and Conducting, and mandates six semesters (rather than eight) of private instruction and ensemble participation. Participants must fulfill College of Humanities and Fine Arts prerequisites, including Intermediate II-level foreign language proficiency. Jazz studies are available at both undergraduate and graduate levels, leading to BA, BM, or MM degrees. The undergraduate curriculum covers diverse aspects including jazz performance, theory, history, composition/arranging, ensemble work, and improvisation. At the graduate level, Master of Music programs specialize in Jazz Performance and Composition/Arranging. Performance graduate students and jazz undergraduates participate in ensembles, while Composition/Arrangement graduate students are expected to both perform in and create pieces for various ensemble sizes. Additional information can be found in the Jazz Degree Programs section.