Specialization in Jazz Studies
Why choose Jazz Studies?
Rhythm, syncopation, improvisation . . . Jazz lets you swing as a virtuoso soloist and a member of a tight ensemble of musicians pushing each other further. The mental agility you develop as a jazz musician is matched only by your dexterity as a performer, your audacity as a composer, and your skills as an arranger.
Students in the Jazz Studies program, the first university-level jazz program created in Canada, have a unique opportunity to become fully immersed in the sounds and traditions of a 100 year-old art form that’s truly modern and still evolving. From jazz language and composition to theory classes, you’ll learn music in an environment that’s grounded in the traditions and leading the next wave.
In the heart of downtown Montreal, a vibrant metropolis with a deep jazz tradition, you’ll have enormous opportunity for cross-pollination with other university-level jazz students across the city. And you’ll be in a rich environment for jamming and seeing the best acts in the world perform at one of the city’s jazz clubs.
Program details
A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
Concentrations:
- Specialization in Jazz Studies (66 credits)
This program is only available for Fall admission.
Minimum cut-off averages
- Quebec CEGEP: DEC
- High School: C+
- University Transfers (internal/external): C
- Bacc. français: 11
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 26
Course requirements for admission
None. You must meet Concordia’s minimum admission requirements.
Additional requirements for admission
Music admissions package submission deadline: March 1
Applicants must apply online before submitting the music admissions package.
We need to know more about you than the general University application provides.
- Information about you and your music
- Online theory test
- Online theory and ear-training placement tests
- Video audition
It is the applicant’s responsibility to upload the video audition online by the prescribed deadline. Test results are sent after the audition has been evaluated. See additional admissions requirements for audition instructions.
Please remember:
- To check the program availability for the fall, as late applications will continue to be accepted for certain programs for an undetermined amount of time
- Applicants must apply online before completing the online theory test and submitting their audition video
For more information on these additional requirements, please read the following:
Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
We consider complete applications year round and we give priority to applicants who apply by official deadlines. Late applications will be considered if places are still available for the fall term only.
| You've sent your application from: | Fall term deadline | Winter term deadline |
| Inside Canada | March 1 Certain programs have extended their deadlines. Please check program availability. |
N/A Admission to this program is only available for the Fall Term. |
| Outside Canada (International) |
February 1 | N/A |
We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
Sample classes
- The Language of Jazz
- Jazz Aural Perception
- Rhythm and Melody
- Jazz Harmony
For a list of required courses, please download the Program Guide according to your year of entry. Consult the Undergraduate Calendar for a complete list of current Music courses.
Schedules for courses are available on the class schedules website.
Our students benefit from a dedicated suite of classroom and performances spaces designed to foster creative collaboration. We’re proud to offer spaces where you can develop your creativity and your abilities as an artist. Enjoy an array of professional facilities and equipment, including:
- Soundproofed practice rooms, three with drum-kits
- Smart classrooms with multimedia and playback capabilities
- Jazz ensemble rooms with full set-up – just bring your cables
- Over two dozen well-maintained pianos, plus seven concert grands
- Computer-equipped keyboard lab
- Recording studios
- Two great performance halls with full sound reinforcement and great acoustics – the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, and downtown’s D.B. Clarke Theatre
Whether you’re an instrumental or voice student, jazz or classical, you can perform in both large and small ensembles. The department holds many performances throughout the year in university venues and around Montreal such as:
Your hard work while at Concordia will give you the knowledge and discipline to further your solo work, plus the teamwork skills to collaborate with others. Our alumni compose, perform, tour, produce original CDs, and write for theatre, dance, film, TV and video games; their cultural work has been recognized through awards and prizes.
Your degree can lead to many paths such as:
- Composer, arranger
- Performer
- Administrator in the arts (band manager, festival organizer)
- Teacher, musicologist, researcher
