MM Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media at University of Rochester

Programme overview

The Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media department prepares students for public performance, media and education, with MM degrees in Jazz Performance and Jazz Composition. Students develop their own artistic voice as performers, composers, arrangers and teachers.

Faculty: Eastman School of Music | Department: Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media | Duration: Typically 2 years full-time (one-year minimum residency) | Intake: Fall (December 1 deadline); Spring (October 1 deadline, not for doctoral programmes) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Rochester, NY, United States

What you will study

Small combos and large jazz ensembles, jazz history, classical and jazz theory, weekly hour-long lessons with resident jazz faculty, and Jazz Performance Workshops covering improvisation, writing, theory and aural training. MM composition majors give a 60-minute final degree recital.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Eastman School of Music (MM): an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution; most successful applicants have a bachelor of music or the close equivalent of its core curriculum; placement tests after enrollment may require remedial courses. Eastman School of Music (all graduate programmes): $100 application fee; three recommendations; 2-3 page personal statement; resume or CV; transcripts, with final official transcripts showing degree conferment before enrollment; applicants whose native language is not English submit an official English proficiency test score and a Non-Native English Essay by December 1; programme-specific items such as audition or pre-screening recordings and repertoire lists. Deadlines: Fall 2027 December 1; Spring 2027 October 1 (not available for doctoral programmes).

Requirements published at faculty level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: Fall (December 1 deadline); Spring (October 1 deadline, not for doctoral programmes)

Duration: Typically 2 years full-time (one-year minimum residency)

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