Jazz Option

	B.A. in Music, Jazz Studies Option: The Bachelor of Arts degree program with the Jazz Studies option offers a cross‑cultural degree drawing on jazz, world, and contemporary popular music styles in conjunction with the traditional Western classical music approach currently emphasized in the music department. The Jazz Studies program at URI delves into the historical, theoretical and cultural aspects of jazz, bringing to the students a better understanding of musical aesthetics within all diverse musical art forms. Students examine and perform jazz compositions of North and South America as well as other contemporary popular music styles from around the world. A broad understanding of music is vital in a music student's education as our society expands in its diversity and range of musical cultures. In addition to the Jazz option of the BA degree, URI offers a Minor in Jazz Studies. Jazz Studies Revitalized From 1977 to 1985 Jazz Studies thrived at the University as a formal program. In the fall of 2003 Jazz Studies was revitalized as an option of the BA in Music and the newly formed minor in Jazz Studies. Never, however, did Jazz take a back seat. From 1985 until 2003, the music department continued to support strong and successful jazz big bands and ensembles, as well as jazz theory, improvisation and jazz history courses. The URI Jazz Big Band has performed at Lincoln Center, taken first place at the MIT New England Intercollegiate Jazz Festival, and performed at many concerts and events on campus and throughout New England. The URI Music Department has been host to world‑renowned jazz artists at the annual URI Jazz and World Music Festival, in which students are major participants. The Music Department also hosts the Rhode Island Music Educators High Sc ool Jazz Festival each year. Jazz activities have continued over the past 17 years with a traditional Dixieland jazz combo, a modem jazz ensemble as well as an experimental jazz group, 2 jazz big bands, Jazz History, and classes in Jazz Theory and Improvisation. The ensembles service approximately 100 music majors and minors each semester. Course offerings include: Jazz Theory and Improvisation History of Jazz History of Music Private Lessons in Jazz Jazz Arranging and Composition Jazz ensembles and Big Band Jazz Studio Labs Jazz Recital among many other offerings. Students participating in the Jazz Studies program at URI have opportunities to perform in the classroom, on campus, and in jazz venues within the community, For further information about the Jazz Studies program at the University of Rhode Island's Department of Music, contact Joseph Parillo at (401) 874-2431 or by email at: jparillo@uri.edu

B.A. in Music, Jazz Studies Option:

The Bachelor of Arts degree program with the Jazz Studies option offers a cross‑cultural degree drawing on jazz, world, and contemporary popular music styles in conjunction with the traditional Western classical music approach currently emphasized in the music department. The Jazz Studies program at URI delves into the historical, theoretical and cultural aspects of jazz, bringing to the students a better understanding of musical aesthetics within all diverse musical art forms. Students examine and perform jazz compositions of North and South America as well as other contemporary popular music styles from around the world. A broad understanding of music is vital in a music student's education as our society expands in its diversity and range of musical cultures.

In addition to the Jazz option of the BA degree, URI offers a Minor in Jazz Studies.

Jazz Studies Revitalized

From 1977 to 1985 Jazz Studies thrived at the University as a formal program. In the fall of 2003 Jazz Studies was revitalized as an option of the BA in Music and the newly formed minor in Jazz Studies.

Never, however, did Jazz take a back seat. From 1985 until 2003, the music department continued to support strong and successful jazz big bands and ensembles, as well as jazz theory, improvisation and jazz history courses. The URI Jazz Big Band has performed at Lincoln Center, taken first place at the MIT New England Intercollegiate Jazz Festival, and performed at many concerts and events on campus and throughout New England.

The URI Music Department has been host to world‑renowned jazz artists at the annual URI Jazz and World Music Festival, in which students are major participants. The Music Department also hosts the Rhode Island Music Educators High Sc ool Jazz Festival each year. Jazz activities have continued over the past 17 years with a traditional Dixieland jazz combo, a modem jazz ensemble as well as an experimental jazz group, 2 jazz big bands, Jazz History, and classes in Jazz Theory and Improvisation. The ensembles service approximately 100 music majors and minors each semester.

Course offerings include:

Jazz Theory and Improvisation
History of Jazz
History of Music
Private Lessons in Jazz
Jazz Arranging and Composition
Jazz ensembles and Big Band
Jazz Studio Labs
Jazz Recital among many other offerings.

Students participating in the Jazz Studies program at URI have opportunities to perform in the classroom, on campus, and in jazz venues within the community,

For further information about the Jazz Studies program at the University of Rhode Island's Department of Music, contact Joseph Parillo at (401)
874-2431 or by email at: jparillo@uri.edu