Hi–I am wondering about Bard and jazz. I see the jazz program is in the college, not the conservatory. It also seems to say pretty clearly on the website that there are no auditions for this jazz program. I find that very confusing and it makes me wonder about the quality of the jazz musicians there. We’re looking a bunch of schools but I’m wondering if anyone knows about this program in particular.
thank you.
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The music program in the College, which is separate from the conservatory - is very strong. The jazz program is non audition for freshmen but Bard College requires students in every discipline to ‘moderate’ into their major usually towards the end of sophomore year. This means different things in different disciplines - in music it usually requires a juried concert - it will certainly require passing prerequisites and papers. The student must present their case to a panel of professors for admission to the major. Not everyone is accepted to their original choice of major.
"The Music Program requires you to complete 2 theory courses, 2 music history courses and a performance course before moderating. Students wishing to study Jazz are required to take Jazz Harmony l (a theory course), and, if they are planning on majoring in performance, Jazz Improv I or II (depending on experience) freshman year is strongly advised. If you play an instrument, you have to be taking lessons from one of the private teachers. Students are required to give a 30 minute performance demonstrating the range of music they play. It may be Classical, Jazz, Rock, Latin, Hip Hop, New Music/Electronic Music, singer/songwriter or any combination thereof. It is designed to show us what you are able to do. A short paper describing your past musical life and another describing your future plans are also required. The papers are submitted to the 3 Faculty members of your moderation board who will also attend your concert and give you a 1 hour critique (board). "
So, by time one is an upperclassperson it is effectively an auditioned program. One also must be sure to have taken the prerequisite courses: http://music.bard.edu/jazz/flow.php
For a jazz musician, although the location of Bard can be isolating, the school and its professors have strong ties to NYC and students do find themselves involved with concerts in the city, and visiting musicians are a regular occurrence.
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More information can be found here: http://music.bard.edu/jazz/index.php
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thank you that makes sense
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