From Louis Armstrong a century ago, to Robert Glasper and Thundercat today, jazz has been an important influence on a wide range of musical genres, including rock, pop, funk, hip-hop, metal, and film scores. At VCU Jazz, we prepare our students to be leaders and innovators in creative music of all types!
Our students don’t have to wait until they graduate to truly start their music career; Richmond, Virginia boasts more arts organizations, businesses, and venues than any other city in the Commonwealth. VCU Jazz students have been an integral part of the RVA music scene for decades, playing all manner of professional gigs, from weddings to clubs, to recording sessions and outdoor festivals. There are myriad opportunities for students to establish their professional network and build a strong resume/portfolio during their 4-years at VCUarts Music, setting them up for success in the industry.
About The Program
The Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Performance/Jazz Studies is our professional course of study in which you will develop the essential skills, knowledge, and relationships to excel in the music industry.
Many Bachelor of Arts in Music majors are heavily involved in the jazz area, fulfilling their lesson and ensemble requirements in the jazz area, as well as using their music electives to take additional jazz courses. However, choosing the BA allows them to have the flexibility in their course requirements to pursue a Concentration in Media Scoring or a minor (business and pre-law are popular choices).
Whether you choose the BM or BA in Music, as a VCU Jazz major, you will be engaged in three types of jazz courses:
- Applied Lessons/Master Class
- Ensembles
- Lab/Classroom Courses
VCU Jazz pairs each student with a world-class teaching artist on their instrument. Our applied lesson faculty have decades of experience at the top of the jazz and commercial music world.
BM Jazz Studies students complete eight progressive levels of applied jazz lessons, perform a junior recital in their 6th semester, and a senior recital in their 8th semester.
BA Music majors complete a minimum of four levels in their applied lessons (though many BA students choose to continue lessons past that point, using their open elective credits).
In addition to their weekly private lesson, all VCU Jazz students attend our weekly Jazz Master Class, where they perform and receive feedback from each other and the faculty, as well as work with visiting guest artists.
The VCUarts Department of Music Jazz Ensembles include: Jazz Orchestra, Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, and 8 Small Jazz Ensembles
Each ensemble performs 2-3 times per semester at venues throughout Richmond, such as The Camel, Révéler, The Broadberry, Richmond Music Hall, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, as well as on-campus in the W. E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts and the Institute for Contemporary Art.
The BM Jazz Studies degree requires a minimum of 12 credits of ensembles: one jazz ensemble every semester, plus a second ensemble (any style) for 4 of those semesters.
VCU Jazz Orchestra has earned top awards at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, Chantilly Jazz Festival, and has performed at the Midwest Clinic, Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, Kennedy Center.
The VCU Jazz Studies course sequence provides students with the most robust and well-rounded jazz training available in the region. These 3-credit courses are each a blend of classroom and lab experiences:
- Jazz Theory and Aural Skills
- Jazz Improvisation I
- Jazz Improvisation II
- Survey of the Music Industry
- Digital Music Production
- Jazz Arranging I (small group)
- Jazz Arranging II (big band)
- Jazz History
Jazz Studies Audition requirements
RIchmond Performance Venues
A jazz club with a 110 person capacity that features local and touring artists. VCU students get discounted admission on tickets. Weekly jazz jam on Sundays.
A rock/jazz club with a 150 person capacity that features mostly local artists, jazz, rock, hip-hop, etc.
A rock club with a 450 person capacity that features local and touring artists. The Broadberry is owned by VCU Music alum Lucas Fritz.
A 3500-seat concert hall which hosts touring Broadway shows, celebrity comedians, and where VCUarts graduation is held.
An 1800-seat concert hall where the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Ballet, and Virginia Opera perform.
A 100-seat theater that frequently hires VCU students for pit work and is a thriving hub of creative activity, an artistic home, and a center for community engagement where new work is produced and performed.
A 1500-seat club and theater that features mostly touring artists.
A large, professional theater company that frequently hires VCU students for pit work.
A rock and jazz club with a capacity of 150 that features local and touring artists.
A recording studio and production company that specializes in music for commercials and film. In Your Ear studio has multiple GRAMMY wins.
A recording studio and production company, specializing in high-production indie-rock, electronic, jazz, and classical recordings. Owned and operated by VCU Jazz alum Matthew E. White, and faculty member Trey Pollard.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosts a free jazz concert every Wednesday 6-8pm, featuring local artists. 200+ people attend each week.
A large outdoor venue featuring national touring acts and the new site of the annual Richmond Folk Festival.
A 2400-seat outdoor amphitheater located in the gorgeous Byrd Park.
A local rock club with a 110 person capacity.
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