The strength of Eastman’s Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media degree program lies in the hard work expected of each student in every aspect of study, coupled with the individual attention received from faculty. The sheer scope of material covered in the curriculum sustains the discipline level, while the faculty members as mentors provide personal encouragement as the coach the necessary skills.
The Eastman School of Music Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Department
is committed to:
Eastman’s JCM students have the opportunity to obtain the most comprehensive education in jazz available today. The Eastman JCM curriculum has been designed and modified over the years to enable all students — both performance and jazz composition majors — to become professional-caliber musicians who are comfortable within the large sphere of jazz-based musical styles, and who are capable of creating their own strong voice in any musical setting. The faculty believes that the way to accomplish this is to expose students to the classical and jazz traditions, with emphasis on the repertoire and disciplines associated with the learning of improvisation skills.
A JCM major is designed for students seeking careers in jazz studies and contemporary media music performance, composition/arranging, and higher education. JCM majors may elect an emphasis in performance or writing skills. As a part of their coursework JCM majors will participate in small combos and large jazz ensembles. They also study jazz history, classical theory and jazz theory at Eastman. Jazz majors have weekly hour-long lessons with resident jazz faculty members throughout the duration of their degree program.
Eastman’s core JCM faculty is in residence and works with students on a daily basis. This day-to-day instruction is augmented by frequent master classes and guest appearances by top international artists. JCM Performance Workshops provide the ideal environment in which students hone these skills and participate fully in the jazz education experience. The Workshops supply the curriculum with a cutting-edge course of contemporary performance and preparation for recording. By combining the experiences of small ensembles, improvisation studies, writing skills, theoretical work, and aural training into an intense and focused ongoing workshop atmosphere, the study of jazz is approached from a holistic point of view.
The Jazz Voice degree in the Jazz and Contemporary Media program at the Eastman School of Music provides students with tailored instruction and experiences that will prepare them for the ever-changing landscape of professional musicianship in the jazz and music industry. Through performance, collaboration, composition, pedagogy, and instruction the new Jazz Voice degree is built reflecting the inimitable legacy and values of the Eastman School of Music, with an eye to the future of the jazz genre as a whole.
The Eastman School of Music’s Jazz Composition program has been internationally recognized since the early 1970s. For almost two decades, Professors Rayburn Wright and Bill Dobbins forged the jazz composition and arranging courses and guided numerous students toward prominent writing careers. Prior to the return of Bill Dobbins in 2002, Eastman alumnus Fred Sturm, a protégé of both Wright and Dobbins, assumed the reins of the writing program in 1991 and fostered the development of almost 200 new student jazz works and several award-winning writers.
Today, Eastman’s MM jazz composition majors engage in a broad range of composing and arranging experiences that include:
Eastman’s Jazz ensembles are led by the esteemed Jazz faculty, and include opportunities to rehearse and perform with important guest artists and conductors. Guests have included Ron Carter, Gene Bertoncini, Nabáte Isles, Allen Vizzuti, Danilo Pérez, Maria Schneider, Marian McPartland, Tom Christensen, Scott Robinson, Bobby Floyd, Alexa Tarantino, Dave Glasser, Bob Brookmeyer, Arturo Sandoval, Lorraine Desmarais, Clark Terry, Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran, and more.
The Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media at the Eastman School of Music provides students with instruction and experiences that prepare them for the increasingly evolving opportunities to write, produce, and perform music for film and contemporary media. Founded in 2016 by Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal (BM85) and vocalist Joan Beal (BM84), and under the direction of Mark Watters, Emmy Award winning composer and conductor, the program builds on the film legacy of the School’s founder, George Eastman.
When Eastman first offered jazz courses in the 1960s and 1970s, the idea of a jazz department in a major music school was still revolutionary. More than a half century later, Eastman is a leader is offering a comprehensive jazz education, We have produced legendary faculty members, and alumni whose playing and composing move the art forward with original, award-winning music. Now in addition to our jazz performing and composition degrees, we offer master’s degrees in contemporary media and film composition. Explore our many course offerings and you’ll see that after an Eastman education you will be prepared for your place at the forefront of the music industry!
Musicians at the Eastman School of Music are committed to furthering their local and extended communities through jazz music. One way this is happening is through the incredible Eastman Radio Show.
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Nothing speaks of the talent at Eastman than seeing the artists doing their thing. Here you will find some great performances of our students, teacher and visiting artists.
Hear various audio versions of past performances and works from Eastman students and faculty here.
