Why Bachelor of Music?
Jazz has improvisation at its core; it requires you to make quick decisions in the moment and communicate with your band mates and audience.
To master jazz, you’ll need to expand your music theory and harmonic knowledge. You’ll need to become comfortable with every corner of your instrument and improve your ear. Develop these skills and more with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz Performance. Get ready to find your own musical dialect and become a highly skilled, versatile and dynamic artist.
Overview
The Bachelor of Music will provide you with the intensive training needed to work in the music industry. Unlock your full potential, in a stimulating and challenging learning environment.
Your major in Jazz Performance will develop your technical and musical skills. Receive one-on-one tuition and masterclasses. Advance your knowledge on jazz history and developments. Learn from Australian and international jazz musicians and educators. Get practical experience across different musical settings including big bands, Latin bands, small jazz ensembles, guitar band, trad jazz ensemble and jazz choirs.
Instrument options for this degree include:
- Bass
- Drums
- Guitar
- Piano/keyboard
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Saxophone
- Violin
- Voice.
You’ll graduate a knowledgeable and creative music professional with the skills to work in a range of roles from musician to music critic.
Key features
Study jazz theory, improvisation, arranging and history. - Receive one-on-one tuition and jazz masterclasses.
- Access performances featuring big bands, jazz choirs, Latin and small jazz ensembles.
- Get unrivalled ensemble experience with one of the most established music institutions in Australia, the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
- Perform weekly and receive feedback from both staff and students.
What you'll learn
Your music degree will cover courses in professional development, jazz performance, jazz history, jazz musicianship and jazz arranging.
Hone your technical and musical skills and understand the roots of jazz and its ongoing developments. Learn professional performance standards, etiquette and management.
Throughout your studies, you’ll perform weekly, with opportunities across various musical settings including big bands, Latin bands, small jazz ensembles, guitar band, trad jazz ensemble and jazz choirs.
In your final year, you’ll perform your chosen repertoire, displaying accuracy and fluency, rhythmic control, creative expression and improvisation.
You’ll be set to embark on your dream career – whether that be as a musician, performer or music educator.
Majors
The Bachelor of Music is also available with majors in the following:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 6 units for all Core courses, and
- 96 to 114 units for one Major from Majors, and
- 24 to 42 units for Electives
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Life in Music
|
Course code
MUSI1036
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Life in Music
|
Course code
MUSI1036
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1029
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz History
|
Course code
MUSI1017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1031
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2021
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2027
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2029
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 3A
|
Course code
MUSI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 3A
|
Course code
MUSI3029
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 3
|
Course code
MUSI3025
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 3B
|
Course code
MUSI3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 3B
|
Course code
MUSI3031
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Arranging
|
Course code
MUSI3013
|
Units
6
|
Complete 114 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz History
|
Course code
MUSI1017
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1022
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1024
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1029
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1031
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2021
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2023
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2027
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2029
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 3A
|
Course code
MUSI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 3B
|
Course code
MUSI3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Arranging
|
Course code
MUSI3013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 3
|
Course code
MUSI3025
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 3A
|
Course code
MUSI3029
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 3B
|
Course code
MUSI3031
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Life in Music
|
Course code
MUSI1036
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1029
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz History
|
Course code
MUSI1017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1031
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2021
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2027
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2029
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 3A
|
Course code
MUSI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 3A
|
Course code
MUSI3029
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 3
|
Course code
MUSI3025
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 3B
|
Course code
MUSI3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 3B
|
Course code
MUSI3031
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Arranging
|
Course code
MUSI3013
|
Units
6
|
Complete 24 to 42 units comprising:
- 24 to 42 units for Program electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Life in Music
|
Course code
MUSI1036
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 1A
|
Course code
MUSI1029
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz History
|
Course code
MUSI1017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 1B
|
Course code
MUSI1031
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2021
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 2A
|
Course code
MUSI2027
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 2B
|
Course code
MUSI2029
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 3A
|
Course code
MUSI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 3A
|
Course code
MUSI3029
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Musicianship 3
|
Course code
MUSI3025
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Jazz Performance 3B
|
Course code
MUSI3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Music Professional Development 3B
|
Course code
MUSI3031
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Jazz Arranging
|
Course code
MUSI3013
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Jazz music is an improvisational genre known for its syncopated rhythms and diverse musical influences. As an expert in jazz performance, you could pursue a diverse set of careers. Maybe you’ll open your own jazz club. Perhaps you’ll play in bands, ensembles, or perform as a solo artist.
You could also pursue the following careers:
- Creative performer
- Composer
- Band leader
- Music Educator.
Industry trends
Today, learning jazz has become critical for any musician aiming to hone their improvisation and technical skills. Jazz music continues to be a highly respected genre, with its rhythms, harmonies and improvisation inspiring several of today’s most popular genres including hip-hop, pop, R&B and rock. Learning jazz will help you become a better musician, ready to forge your own style.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
