Performance Jazz Major (B.Mus.)

126 credits · Schulich School of Music · 2026-2027 catalogue

Performance Jazz Major (B.Mus.) as a checklist, with when each course runs in 2026–27. On a computer, check off the courses you have taken or plan to take to add up your credits.

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Special Requirements

Students majoring in Jazz Performance must achieve a minimum grade of B- in all Jazz courses and Practical Instruction/Exams, including Jazz Combo and Ensembles. Students are permitted to study with the same teacher for the assigned practical instruction for a maximum of two consecutive years.

Program Prerequisites — Foundation Program (34 credits)

34 credits selected as described below, in consultation with the Program Adviser: 22 credits of Prerequisite Courses 2 credits of MUEN 570 Jazz Combo. 4 credits of Large Ensemble 6 credits of Non-Music Electives

Prerequisite Courses (22 credits)

22 credits, all of the courses below: Note: Students who can demonstrate through auditions, placement tests, or equivalencies that they have mastered the material in any of the courses listed below, will be exempt from them and may proceed to more advanced courses. Incoming jazz guitarists and pianists are automatically exempt from MUJZ 170 Jazz Keyboard Proficiency 1. and MUJZ 171 Jazz Keyboard Proficiency 2. .

  • MUIN 180 BMus Practical Lessons 1 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUIN 181 BMus Practical Lessons 2 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUJZ 160 Jazz Materials 1 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 161 Jazz Materials 2 (3 credits) · Offered: Winter
  • MUJZ 170 Jazz Keyboard Proficiency 1 (1 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 171 Jazz Keyboard Proficiency 2 (1 credits) · Offered: Winter
  • MUJZ 187 Jazz History Survey (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUPD 135 Music as a Profession 1 (1 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUSP 123 Jazz Ear Training 1 (2 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUSP 124 Jazz Ear Training 2 (2 credits) · Offered: Winter

Required Courses (53 credits)

Performance

  • MUIN 280 BMus Practical Lessons 3 (2.5 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUIN 281 BMus Practical Lessons 4 (2.5 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUIN 282 BMus Performance Examination 1 (1 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027
  • MUIN 380 BMus Practical Lessons 5 (2.5 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUIN 381 BMus Practical Lessons 6 (2.5 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUIN 382 BMus Performance Examination 2 (1 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027
  • MUIN 480 BMus Practical Lessons 7 (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUIN 481 BMus Practical Lessons 8 (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUIN 482 BMus Performance Examination 3 (2 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027

Small Ensemble

  • MUEN 570 Jazz Combo (1 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter

Jazz Improvisation

Instrumental Majors

  • MUJZ 223 Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 1 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 224 Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 2 (3 credits) · Offered: Winter
  • MUJZ 423 Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 3 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 424 Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 4 (3 credits) · Offered: Winter

Vocal Majors

  • MUJZ 225 Jazz Vocal Improvisation 1 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 226 Jazz Vocal Improvisation 2 (3 credits) · Offered: Winter
  • MUJZ 325 Jazz Vocal Improvisation 3 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 326 Jazz Vocal Improvisation 4 (3 credits) · Offered: Winter

Jazz Theory

  • MUJZ 260 Jazz Arranging 1 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 261 Jazz Arranging 2 (3 credits) · Offered: Winter
  • MUJZ 340 Jazz Composition 1 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 341 Jazz Composition 2 (3 credits) · Offered: Winter

History/Literature/Performance Practice

  • MUHL 286 Critical Thinking About Music (3 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUJZ 493 Jazz Performance Practice (3 credits) · Offered: Fall

Professional Development

  • MUPD 235 Music as a Profession 2 (1 credits) · Offered: Winter

Complementary Courses (14-18 credits)

Performance

Small Ensemble

Large Ensemble (8–12 credits)

8-12 credits from 1 :

Note: students playing Rhythm Section instruments (piano,guitar, bass, drums, vibraphone) can substitute 4 credits of large ensemble with free electives). 8-12 credits from 1 :

  • MUEN 563 Jazz Vocal Workshop (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUEN 572 Cappella Antica (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUEN 573 Baroque Orchestra (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUEN 587 Cappella McGill (2 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027
  • MUEN 590 McGill Wind Orchestra (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUEN 592 Chamber Jazz Ensemble (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUEN 593 Choral Ensembles (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUEN 594 Contemporary Music Ensemble (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUEN 595 Jazz Ensembles (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
  • MUEN 597 McGill Symphony Orchestra (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter

Advanced Jazz

Instrumental Majors (4 credits)

4 credits from either 4 credits from either MUJZ 440 Advanced Jazz Composition 1 . and MUJZ 441 Advanced Jazz Composition 2. , or MUJZ 461D1 Advanced Jazz Arranging. / MUJZ 461D2 Advanced Jazz Arranging. :

  • MUJZ 440 Advanced Jazz Composition 1 (2 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 441 Advanced Jazz Composition 2 (2 credits) · Offered: Winter
  • MUJZ 461D1 Advanced Jazz Arranging (2 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 461D2 Advanced Jazz Arranging (2 credits) · Offered: Winter

Vocal Majors

  • MUJZ 425 Jazz Vocal Repertoire 1 (2 credits) · Offered: Fall
  • MUJZ 426 Jazz Vocal Repertoire 2 (2 credits) · Offered: Winter

Elective Courses (21-25 credits)

3 credits of non-Music Electives. 18-22 credits of Free Electives (may not include courses with a MUEN prefix); students playing Rhythm Section instruments may take up to 22 Free Electives.

Listed courses

  • MUEN 570 Jazz Combo (1 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter

OR

OR

  • MUEN 574 Afro-Cuban/Brazilian Jazz Combo (1 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter

Related programs

Source: McGill Course Catalogue. myDegree is an independent student project, not affiliated with McGill University.