Jazz Certificate Program
The Hayes School of Music offers a Jazz Certificate 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.
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.
Jazz Studies at App State
- Jazz Certificate Program - the program of study described on this page is open to any student at Appalachian (regardless of major) upon the recommendation of the Director of Jazz Studies. It is not a degree, but can be taken along with any degree program if the requirements are met.
- Bachelor of Music in Performance: Jazz Studies Concentration - NEW! Coursework begins in Fall 2025. Students who wish to major in music performance and are strongly interested in jazz may consider the BM Performance degree with a Jazz Studies Concentration.
About Jazz
According to the Harvard Concise Dictionary of Music (Randel, 1978) jazz is 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."
Jazz Certificate Requirements
A total of 14 semester hours are required to complete a certificate in jazz, including the following:
- 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 2046 Jazz Piano 1 s.h.
- Completion of Level 4 in the Applied Area
For more information on our programs, please consult the Hayes School of Music Student Handbook.
Director of Jazz Studies
Office Location: Room 418, Broyhill Music Center
828-262-4964
Saxophone, Jazz Area Coordinator, Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Combos
Jazz Visiting Artist Workshops
For almost 60 years visiting artists have worked with the Appalachian Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Faculty, and Jazz Clinics Programs. This program has been an inspiration to our students and the ASU Community.
Visiting artist Bernard Purdie and Cyrus Chestnut at our Robert F. Gilley Recording Studio.
For examples of our past visiting artists, please refer to this attached PDF (227 KB).