Courses
Jazz Orchestra: MUSI 1110 (12 – 2 MWF)
The Jazz Orchestra is the premier big band for the Moores School of Music. Under the direction of Noe Marmolejo, the Jazz Orchestra performs two concerts per semester at MSM, including performing with a featured guest artist at each year’s jazz festival. In addition to this, the Jazz Orchestra also regularly appears outside of the school for music festivals, community outreach and events with Houston performance societies such as DaCamera and Miller Outdoor Theater.
Jazz Ensemble: MUSI 1110 (11:30 – 1 TTH)
The Jazz Ensemble is the second band at MSM. Its focus is the development of younger or inexperienced players, with a more pedagogical approach to rehearsals. Under the direction of Ryan Gabbart, the Jazz Ensemble also performs twice each semester at MSM. Students are introduced to many styles of jazz and commercial music genres and an introduction to jazz improvisation is covered for soloists.
Jazz Improvisation I: MUSI 3110 (2:30-3:30 TTH)
An elective that is open to all students at the University of Houston. This course does not count toward any degree plan. Covers the basics of beginning improvisation skills within a jazz setting. This includes all major and minor scales, scale modes, ii-V-I progressions, nomenclature of jazz theory and learning beginner-level tunes.
Jazz History I: MUSI 3310
A jazz history course for music majors covering the beginnings of jazz music in the United States through the 1940s. Notable periods covered are early jazz, New Orleans and Chicago-styles, swing and early bebop.
Jazz History II
A jazz history course for music majors covering the 1940s through the present. Periods and styles covered are bebop, hard bop, the avant garde, fusion and other contemporary styles.
Analysis of Jazz Improvisation
A jazz theory course for music majors focusing on the analysis of famous and notable jazz improvisations by jazz masters from early jazz to the present.
Listening to Jazz: MUSI 2302 (9-10 MWF)
Listening to Jazz is a jazz history course for non-music majors. The course serves as a guide to listening to jazz music, covering its history and understanding it significance as an art form. Students are expected to analyze listening assignments, identify major figures and movements within the jazz idiom, and write two separate 3-4 papers on a classic jazz recording and live performance.