Classes
Jazz History
With Dr. Gordon Vernick
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Explore the people, recordings, movements, and cultural forces that shaped the history of jazz. Through guided listening, class discussion, selected readings, and live-music experiences, students will develop a deeper understanding of how jazz evolved and the artists who helped define it.
Designed for mature high school students through adults, this course is ideal for musicians and music enthusiasts alike who want to deepen their appreciation and knowledge of the jazz tradition.
Jazz Theory I
With Dr. Tyrone Jackson
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Build a strong foundation in the musical language of jazz. Jazz Theory I introduces students to the essential concepts behind jazz harmony, melody, rhythm, and song structure, helping them better understand what they hear, read, and play.
Students will develop practical skills that can be applied to improvisation, arranging, composition, and ensemble performance, making this an excellent course for musicians looking to strengthen their overall understanding of jazz.
Jazz Theory II
With Dr. Tyrone Jackson
Tuesdays, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM
Take your understanding of jazz theory to the next level with a deeper exploration of the harmonic and melodic concepts used by jazz musicians. Jazz Theory II builds on foundational theory skills and focuses on developing a more sophisticated understanding of harmony, chord relationships, improvisational concepts, and musical analysis.
The course is ideal for students who already have a working knowledge of basic jazz theory and want to expand the tools they can apply to performance, improvisation, arranging, and composition.
