Music - Jazz Studies
Program Mission Statement
The UNF Department of Music is committed to the artistic and intellectual preparation of students for multi-faceted musical careers in music in the 21st century, and aims to provide a high level of professional musical training as well as a sense of mission about the true value of music to our society. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music Performance Degree will receive training emphasizing a high level of performance skills on the student’s primary instrument, in-depth training in music theory and ear training, practical piano skills, comprehensive knowledge of western music history, exposure to the study of music in other cultures, functional knowledge of music technology and the ability to create original or derivative music.
All Music Performance students will have the opportunity to perform in Wind Symphony, Concert Band, UNF Orchestra, UNF Choral Ensembles, UNF Opera, various classical chamber music ensembles, and UNF Jazz Ensembles. The department provides music majors and non-music majors alike the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding, and ability in all aspects of music at a level appropriate to their needs and interests, and to prepare music majors for careers as performers, teachers, composers, arrangers, and professionals in the music industry and supporting fields.
A key aspect of our mission is the artistic enrichment of the lives of all UNF students and faculty, community, state, and nation. UNF School of Music faculty maintain strong international profiles as performers, recording artists, educators, researchers and artists in service of music profession. They are committed to individualized student attention which includes opportunities to participate in life-changing experiences such as international study abroad trips, internships, off-campus music outreach programs, recording projects, and dynamic performance opportunities. UNF Students collaborate with various external partners in our region including Jacksonville Symphony, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Children's Chorus, Beaches Fine Arts Series, Don't Miss a Beat, Riverside Fine Arts Series, Friday Musicale, Amelia Island Music Festival plus many others.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able:
Content/Discipline-Specific Knowledge/Skills
- Prepare performances at the highest possible level.
- Demonstrate knowledge of applicable solo and ensemble literature.
Communication Skills
- Work on musical problems by combining, as appropriate to the issue, their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal and visual analysis; composition/improvisation; and history and repertory.
Critical Thinking Skills
- Develop correct part writing skills.
- Acquire a rudimentary capacity to create original or derivative music.
- Demonstrate knowledge of styles and performance practices, and general historical and cultural traits.
Assessment Approaches
Numerous direct and indirect assessment measures will be employed to assess mastery of the identified student learning outcomes. Written communication skills are arrived at through various written assignments assessed in music history courses. Discipline specific knowledge is assessed through performance jury. Creative thinking is assessed in various courses and music ensembles where students demonstrate fresh perspective and innovative way of executing tasks, performing a musical selection, or solving a theoretical problem. Creative thinking is stimulated by structured courses and ensembles where students are expected to perform (improvise, act on stage), compose, and/or analyze.
At the end of each semester, performance juries are conducted for each music major by a panel of faculty. A scoring rubric is utilized as the principal assessment tool during these performance juries. Students will perform various selections of solo repertoire appropriate to their level of proficiency. They will also be required to play scales and to give brief verbal presentations outlining the history and style of their assigned repertoire. Scoring rubrics may also be used as embedded assessment approaches for a select set of required courses within the major, such as theory and music history. This direct measure of student achievement is complemented by a number of potential indirect assessments that include alumni surveys, student perception surveys, employer surveys and admission rates to graduate programs.