The Music BA: Jazz & American Music Studies Track
Overview & Program Highlights
If you’re interested in exploring the rich musical traditions of the Americas–jazz, musical theatre, folk, rock ‘n roll, hip hop, the list goes on–the Music BA with a focus in Jazz and American Music Studies may be just what you are looking for. One of the most exciting aspects of this program is that students can tailor it to suit their passion(s). Are you interested in performing jazz? You can join SUNY Geneseo’s Jazz Ensemble and take a class in jazz harmony. Are you interested in performing traditional music? You can join SUNY Geneseo’s String Band. Are you less interested in performance and more interested in music history? Once again, this degree program has you covered.
In this program, you’ll learn to approach the study of music as a humanistic discipline, critically examining a variety of musical practices and their histories in classes such as “Thinking Through Music,” “Jazz in America” and “Folk Music in America.” You’ll also learn to connect and situate your study of American music to disciplines outside music, drawing on coursework in American Studies, Black Studies, English, and History. Program highlights include:
- Conducting original research and archival work in the college's James W. Kimball Collection for Traditional Music & Dance in New York State
- Performing original compositions in your own Jazz combo
- Presenting at the college's undergraduate research symposium, GREAT Day, or at conferences off campus
Program Requirements
For a detailed list of program requirements, including program learning outcomes and course descriptions, please see the College Bulletin.
Every student declaring a Music BA elects to focus in either Music Performance; Musicology HiTEC; Jazz and American Music Studies; or Music Business, Recording, and Production. Regardless of area of study, all students begin with a set of basic requirements that balance training in musicianship with methods for critical inquiry. Students electing to focus in Jazz & American Music Studies work with an advisor to identify their particular interests and learning goals, leading in many cases to a portfolio of original scholarship or creative work.
Musicianship
- MUSC 139 - Piano I Credit(s): 1
- MUSC 140 - Piano II Credit(s): 1
- MUSC 189 - Elements of Music Theory Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 256 - Elements of Diatonic Harmony and Polyphony or MUSC 258 - Elements of Jazz Harmony Credit(s): 3
Critical History & Methods
- MUSC 226 - Music History I: Music and the European City, 1685-1803 Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 227 - Music History II: Key Figures in Music History, Beethoven to Beyoncé Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 236 - Thinking Through Music I Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 315 - Analytical Methods Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 327 - Thinking Through Music II Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 331-339 Seminar in Musicology Credit(s): 3
Foundation Courses in American Music
- MUSC 217 - Jazz in America Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 232 - Folk Music in America Credit(s): 3
Electives in American Music (6-10 credits)*
- MUSC 165 - Instrumental Organizations: Jazz Ensemble Credit (1)**
- MUSC 222 - History of American Musical Theatre Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 258 - Elements of Jazz Harmony Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 291 - Music and Ideas: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 336 - Music, Gender, and Sexuality (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 337 - Music, Race, and Ethnicity(subtitle) Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 338 - Folk Music in New York State Credit(s): 3
- MUSC 339 - Folk and Popular Music Study
- MUSC 346 - Jazz Harmony and Improvisation I
- MUSC 347 - Jazz Harmony and Improvisation II
- MUSC 439 - Portfolio Review
Interdisciplinary Courses (3-7 credits)
- AMST 201 - Topics in American Studies: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
- BLKS 200 - Introduction to Black Studies
- ENGL 318 - Black British Literature and Culture Credit(s): 4
- ENGL 337 - African-American Literature Credit(s): 4
- ENGL 439 - American Ways: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
- HIST 164 - African American History from 1877 Credit(s): 4
Notes
* Upper-level requirement: at least 9 elective credits either in MUSC and/or in the related interdisciplinary coursework must be at the 300 or 400.
** A maximum of 3 credits of MUSC 165 may be applied to the elective total.
Meet our Jazz & American Music Faculty
Program Design
The Music BA with a focus in Jazz and American Music Studies is organized around three pillars of study: Musicianship; Critical History, Theory, and Analysis; and Research and Integrated Inquiry. Each area contributes to the achievement of specific learning outcomes.
- Musicianship
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Musicianship
The first year centers around a year-long course in musicianship, with students receiving instruction in basic solfège, written harmony, keyboard, and aural skills. In addition to written mastery of all music theoretical rudiments, learning outcomes for the first-year musicianship course focus on the development of skills necessary for creative expression in music. These include a conceptual understanding of the rudiments of music theory, including scales, keys, and chords; an ability to sing and transcribe diatonic melodies as well as those that modulate to closely related keys; and an ability to provide a written three- or four-part harmonization of a diatonic melody or bass, as well as those that modulate to closely related and relative keys, making appropriate use of standard cadential and sequential patterns. Students interested in composition continue on to a second year course that focuses on the composition of more complex musical textures along with keyboard and accompaniment technique.
- Critical History, Theory, & Analysis
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Critical History, Theory, & Analysis
Students in their second year take a variety of courses introducing them to basic question and methods in music history, ethnomusicology, criticism, and analysis, including the foundational course in "Thinking through Music." These courses provide students with a critical vocabulary for discussing, analyzing, and evaluating claims made about music and its myriad cultural-historical contexts. Following these foundational courses, students may choose from a variety of musicological subfields ranging from ethnographic and archival work, to cultural theory and formal analysis. Upper-division courses also emphasize engagement with scholarly literature and method.
- Research & Integrated Inquiry
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Research & Integrated Inquiry
In the final year, students have the option to complete a final portfolio of written or creative work. Beginning in their junior year, students work with their advisor to formulate guiding questions meant to help students direct their research and creative work. The final contents of the portfolio are determined in consultation with the student's advisor. Students frequently present their work at undergraduate conferences or at Geneseo's day-long symposium of undergraduate research, GREAT Day.