Director of Jazz Studies

Professor Todd Wright  wrighttt@appstate.edu

Office Location: Room 209, Broyhill Music Center - 828-262-4964

Saxophone, Jazz Area Coordinator, Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Combos

Jazz Studies Performances/Guest Artists/European Travel:

European Jazz Tour - May (2013)- ASU Jazz Ensemble will embark on another performing tour of Europe, and we've booked a few extra seats just for you. We know you will have just as much fun (if not more) as we will!

View the PDF's below for more information and registration.

"Appalachian reserves the right to cancel or alter the program format or to change the costs in case of conditions beyond the university's control".

Photo below: Louis Armstrong's home in Corona Queens, NY, is now open to the public. Photo with ASU HSoM students and Jazz faculty, Todd Wright & Ron Brendle. There is a iconic photo of Mr. Armstrong playing and teaching local children on these steps.

Jazz - A kind of music that emerged in the southern United States, particularly in the city of New Orleans, around the end of the 19th century. The term itself . . . gained currency around 1915 and has since been applied to diverse and continually changing styles. Throughout the history of jazz, its tonal language has been essentially that of Western Europe combined with characteristic inflections of pitch. Other Characteristics are study though often syncopated rhythm . . . improvisation . . . and effects of intonation and timbre different from those employed in the traditional Western concert music. (Randel, Harvard Concise Dictionary of Music, 1978)

Jazz, the first truly American art form, is a very important part of our cultural heritage and has the potential of playing a significant role in the music education process. With this in mind, the School of Music at Appalachian has established a Jazz Certification Program. Admission to this program is available to all students of the University upon the recommendation of the Director of Jazz Studies.

Jazz Certification Program:

The Hayes School of Music has established a Jazz Certification Program that is available to all students of the University upon the recommendation of the Director of Jazz Studies. The purposes of the program are to identify students with a special interest in jazz, promote high standards of jazz performance, provide a structured sequence in the field of jazz, provide a vehicle for the proper advising with this interest, and to expand the circle of students who have meaningful experiences with jazz during their college careers.

Admission to the Program:

The student must complete an application form (available from the Director of Jazz Studies). The completed form must be returned to the Office of the Dean of Music. Upon completion of the program, the student will receive a Jazz Certificate indicating competence in this area of study. Jazz Certificates will be awarded during the annual Honors Seminar.

Requirements (14 s.h.):

MUS 1104 Jazz Ensemble 4 semesters
MUS 2014 Jazz in American Society 3 s.h.
MUS 2045 Jazz Improvisation I 2 s.h..
MUS 3003 Jazz/Pop Theory 2 s.h
MUS 3045 Jazz Improvisation II 2 s.h.
MUS 3530 Jazz Piano 1 s.h.
Completion of Level 4 in the Applied Area

School of Music Handbook   for more information on our programs