Program Length
- 4 Years
Credential
- Bachelor Degree
VIU’s Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies program is so much more than just music to your ears. The comprehensive jazz music program combines academic and performance studies with the latest recording studio technologies, music production and business strategies that arm you with elite skills to succeed in any and every facet of the music industry.
Vancouver Island University is proud to be one of the leading music production schools, having turned out some of the most successful music makers on the West Coast. Are you our next success story?
The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Program
Vancouver Island University has cancelled the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies program effective May 23, 2024. The University will not offer any new intakes for this program. Current students should contact the Dean’s Office to discuss opportunities for program completion. Further questions may be directed to the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, at Claire.Grogan@viu.ca
The Jazz Studies program will foster the acquisition of professional skills in a variety of performance genres. It will offer hands-on experience of group music making through ensembles, and promote skills in the fields of: music performance and its study; musical theory and composition; music history in general and jazz music history in particular; theoretical and applied keyboarding; instrumental and choral conducting; theoretical and applied computer technology; multi-track recording and film scoring; theoretical and applied sound recording; library and on-line research; techniques and practices fundamental to the music and entertainment industries; and music as a business.
The program is modular in structure. Students select Music elective courses on the basis of their musical needs, progressing from course module to course module and from year to year. The structure offers students considerable choice and flexibility in fulfilling program requirements. It is supportive of the development of primary musical skills, but flexible and adaptable, and conducive to effective use of space and time.
Upon successful completion of the first two years of the program, students can apply for a Diploma in Music – Jazz.
| Year 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUSC 100 - (Intro. to Musical Theory I) | 3 |
| MUSC 101 - (Intro. to Musical Theory II) | 3 |
| MUSC 103 - (Basic Musicianship I) | 1 |
| MUSC 104 - (Basic Musicianship II) | 1 |
| MUSC 115 - (Survey of North American Music Styles: 1619-1900) | 3 |
| MUSC 116 - (History of American Popular Music: from 1900) | 3 |
| MUSC 125 - (Computers and Music I) | 2 |
| MUSC 143 - (Keyboard Musicianship I) | 1 |
| MUSC 144 - (Keyboard Musicianship II) | 1 |
| MUSC 145 - (Private Music Instruction I) | 2 |
| MUSC 146 - (Private Music Instruction II) | 2 |
| MUSC 181 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation I) | 2 |
| MUSC 182 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation II) | 2 |
| Select a minimum of two credits (two courses) from the following list of Ensemble and Workshop courses: MUSC 151 - (Choir I) MUSC 152 - (Choir II) MUSC 153 - (VIU Singers I) MUSC 154 - (VIU Singers II) MUSC 155 - (Vocal Jazz I) MUSC 156 - (Vocal Jazz II) MUSC 163 - (Wind Ensemble I) MUSC 164 - (Wind Ensemble II) MUSC 171 - (Guitar Ensemble I) MUSC 172 - (Guitar Ensemble II) MUSC 173 - (Jazz Ensemble I) MUSC 174 - (Jazz Ensemble II) |
2 |
| Degree English Requirements | 6 |
| Credits | 34 |
| Year 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUSC 107 - (Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills I) | 1 |
| MUSC 108 - (Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills II) | 1 |
| MUSC 121 - (Musical Theory I) | 3 |
| MUSC 122 - (Musical Theory II) | 3 |
| MUSC 215 - (History of Music I) | 3 |
| MUSC 216 - (History of Music II) | 3 |
| MUSC 243 - (Keyboard Musicianship III) | 1 |
| MUSC 244 - (Keyboard Musicianship IV) | 1 |
| MUSC 245 - (Private Music Instruction III) | 2 |
| MUSC 246 - (Private Music Instruction IV) | 2 |
| MUSC 281 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation III) | 3 |
| MUSC 282 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation IV) | 3 |
| MUSC 283 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire I) | 1 |
| MUSC 284 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire II) | 1 |
| Select a minimum of two credits (two courses) from the following list of Ensemble and Workshop courses: MUSC 251 - (Choir III) MUSC 252 - (Choir IV) MUSC 253 - (VIU Singers III) MUSC 254 - (VIU Singers IV) MUSC 255 - (Vocal Jazz III) MUSC 256 - (Vocal Jazz IV) MUSC 263 - (Wind Ensemble III) MUSC 264 - (Wind Ensemble IV) MUSC 271 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble I) MUSC 272 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble II) MUSC 273 - (Jazz Ensemble III) MUSC 274 - (Jazz Ensemble IV) |
2 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Year 3 | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUSC 321 - (Musical Theory: Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills III) | 3 |
| MUSC 322 - (Musical Theory: Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills IV) | 3 |
| MUSC 259 - (Music Pedagogy) | 3 |
| MUSC 311 - (History of Jazz I) | 3 |
| MUSC 345 - (Private Music Instruction V) | 2 |
| MUSC 346 - (Private Music Instruction VI) | 2 |
| MUSC 381 - (Jazz Arranging, Aural Skills and Composititon I) | 2 |
| MUSC 382 - (Jazz Arranging, Aural Skills and Composition II) | 2 |
| MUSC 383 - (Jazz Workshop and Repetoire III) | 1 |
| MUSC 384 - (Jazz Workshop and Repetoire IV) | 1 |
| Select a minimum of two credits (two courses) from the following list of Ensemble and Workshop courses: MUSC 351 - (Choir V) MUSC 352 - (Choir VI) MUSC 353 - (VIU Singers V) MUSC 354 - (VIU Singers VI) MUSC 355 - (Vocal Jazz V) MUSC 356 - (Vocal Jazz VI) MUSC 363 - (Wind Ensemble V) MUSC 364 - (Wind Ensemble VI) MUSC 373 - (Jazz Ensemble V) MUSC 374 - (Jazz Ensemble VI) | 2 |
| Electives: Select a minimum of six credits of Music or Non-Music electives. ANTH 231 - (Intro to Music in Culture) ANTH 331 - (Studies in Ethnomusicology) MUSC 130 - (Music and Spirituality) MUSC 131 - (Music Producers: The Soundmakers of Generations) MUSC 205 - (Music Composition I) MUSC 225 - (Introduction to Home Recording) MUSC 260 - (Studies in Orff-Kodaly Pedagogy) MUSC 305 - (Music Composition II) MUSC 359 - (Introduction to Orchestration) MUSC 407 - (Studio Recording I) MUSC 408 - (Studio Recording II) Non-Music elective courses may be used here. | 6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Year 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUSC 200 - (Career Development I) | 2 |
| MUSC 411 - (History of Jazz II) | 3 |
| MUSC 445 - (Private Tuition, Jazz VII) | 2 |
| MUSC 446 - (Private Tuition, Jazz VIII) | 2 |
| MUSC 450 - (Applied Performance Project) | 2 |
| MUSC 459 - (Choral and Instrumental Conducting) | 3 |
| MUSC 481 - (Jazz Arranging, Aural Skills and Composition III) | 2 |
| MUSC 482 - (Jazz Arranging, Aural Skills and Composition IV) | 2 |
| MUSC 483 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire V) | 1 |
| MUSC 484 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire VI) | 1 |
| Music Electives: Select a minimum of three credits from the following Music elective courses, provided they were not taken in second or third year: ANTH 231 - (Introduction to Music in Culture) ANTH 331 - (Studies in Ethnomusicology) MUSC 130 - (Music and Spirituality) MUSC 131 - (Music Producers: The Soundmakers of Generations) MUSC 205 - (Music Composition I) MUSC 305 - (Music Composition II) MUSC 225 - (Introduction to Home Recording) MUSC 260 - (Studies in Orff-Kodaly Pedagogy) MUSC 359 - (Introduction to Orchestration) MUSC 407 - (Studio Recording I) MUSC 408 - (Studio Recording II) | 3 |
| Select a minimum of two credits (two courses) from the following list of Ensemble and Workshop courses: MUSC 451 - (Choir VII) MUSC 452 - (Choir VIII) MUSC 453 - (VIU Singers VII) MUSC 454 - (VIU Singers VIII) MUSC 455 - (Vocal Jazz VII) MUSC 456 - (Vocal Jazz VIII) MUSC 463 - (Wind Ensemble VII) MUSC 464 - (Wind Ensemble VIII) MUSC 473 - (Jazz Ensemble VII) MUSC 474 - (Jazz Ensemble VIII) | 2 |
| Select six credits of Music or Non-Music elective courses; Music electives are listed above. | 6 |
| Credits | 31 |
| Total Credits | 125 |
- General admission requirements apply.
- Successful audition to show musical competence or potential.
Notes on Admission
- Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees - 33 credits* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (33 credits x $166.40 per credit) | 5,491.20 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 7,033.16 |
* Students taking private music instruction courses should add additional tuition, Student Activity fees, and possibly Student Union fees. Please refer to the Private Tuition schedule.
The above table is based on 33 credits. Students taking more than, or less than, 33 credits should adjust the fee total accordingly.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees - 33 credits* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (33 credits x $799.77 per credit) | 26,392.41 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 27,934.37 |
* Students taking private music instruction courses should add additional tuition, Student Activity fees, and possibly Student Union fees. Please refer to the Private Tuition schedule.
The above table is based on 33 credits. Students taking more than, or less than, 33 credits should adjust the fee total accordingly.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Sign up for more information about this program
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Visit the Department WebsitePrevious versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.