Offered in: Chicago

The Jazz and Contemporary Music program prepares students interested in contemporary American vernacular musics and jazz for 21st-century careers as performers, recording artists, composers, and versatile, technically fluent musicians.

Graduates of the program will:

• Develop and articulate an individual voice as performers and as arrangers/composers.

• Demonstrate historical understanding and practical command of the richness and diversity of contemporary musical idioms and jazz traditions.

• Exhibit the technical proficiency and musicianship necessary to conceive and execute musical ideas across varied performance contexts.

• Engage critically with the social, political, and cultural dimensions of music, reflecting the University’s mission and the role of music in broader movements for social change.

The Jazz Combo sequence immerses students in rotating stylistic emphases, ensuring sustained engagement with a broad range of jazz and contemporary traditions. Through performance, repertory study, and stylistically informed improvisation, students gain familiarity with significant composers, artists, and movements associated with each idiom.

Applied study follows progressively rigorous technical and repertory standards, culminating in a senior recital that demonstrates artistic individuality, technical command, historical understanding, and leadership in preparation and performance.

Admission Requirements

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for audition requirements for prospective Jazz/Contemporary majors.

Grade Requirements:

C- is the minimum passing grade in Applied Music 271 and the associated PERF 261 JURY (LOWER DIV). At the completion of the student's second year, they must receive a minimum grade of B- in the fourth semester of Applied Music 271 and PERF 261 to be admitted to the upper division. In the upper division, the candidate must not receive a grade lower than B- for Applied Music 371, PERF 361 JURY (UPPER DIV), and PERF 314 SENIOR RECITAL 

A grade lower than C- in any JAZZ course will be considered a failing grade.

GPA Requirements:

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Residency Requirements:

The final 30 credit hours toward a student's degree must be completed at Roosevelt University, or a minimum of 60 hours must be taken in residence at Roosevelt University.

Course Requirements

¹

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

Grade Requirements:

C- is the minimum passing grade in PIA 271 PIANO (LOWER DIV) and the associated PERF 261 JURY (LOWER DIV). At the completion of the student's second year, they must receive a minimum grade of B- in the fourth semester of PIA 271 PIANO (LOWER DIV) and PERF 261 JURY (LOWER DIV) to be admitted to the upper division. In the upper division, the candidate must not receive a grade lower than B- for PIA 371 PIANO (UPPER DIV), PERF 361 JURY (UPPER DIV), and PERF 314 SENIOR RECITAL 

A grade lower than C- in any JAZZ course will be considered a failing grade.

GPA Requirements:

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Residency Requirements:

The final 30 credit hours toward a student's degree must be completed at Roosevelt University, or a minimum of 60 hours must be taken in residence at Roosevelt University.

Course Requirements (Piano)

¹

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

Grade Requirements:

C- is the minimum passing grade in VOI 271 VOICE (LOWER DIV) and the associated PERF 261 JURY (LOWER DIV). At the completion of the student's second year, they must receive a minimum grade of B- in the fourth semester of VOI 271 VOICE (LOWER DIV) and PERF 261 to be admitted to the upper division. In the upper division, the candidate must not receive a grade lower than B- for VOI 371 VOICE (UPPER DIV), PERF 361 JURY (UPPER DIV), and PERF 314 SENIOR RECITAL 

A grade lower than C- in any JAZZ course will be considered a failing grade.

GPA Requirements:

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Residency Requirements:

The final 30 credit hours toward a student's degree must be completed at Roosevelt University, or a minimum of 60 hours must be taken in residence at Roosevelt University.

Course Requirements (Voice)

¹

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

Your degree map is a general guide outlining the recommended courses to complete each term along the academic pathway to your degree. It reflects the most current scheduling information provided by your academic program.

Degree maps are reviewed annually and updated as scheduling patterns evolve. Students who remain continuously enrolled retain the degree requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment.

Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor to understand curriculum requirements and course sequencing, as individual academic plans may vary.

Degree Map (Instrumental)

Your degree map is a general guide outlining the recommended courses to complete each term along the academic pathway to your degree. It reflects the most current scheduling information provided by your academic program.

Degree maps are reviewed annually and updated as scheduling patterns evolve. Students who remain continuously enrolled retain the degree requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment.

Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor to understand curriculum requirements and course sequencing, as individual academic plans may vary.

Degree Map (Piano)

Your degree map is a general guide outlining the recommended courses to complete each term along the academic pathway to your degree. It reflects the most current scheduling information provided by your academic program.

Degree maps are reviewed annually and updated as scheduling patterns evolve. Students who remain continuously enrolled retain the degree requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment.

Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor to understand curriculum requirements and course sequencing, as individual academic plans may vary.

Degree Map (Voice)