Jazz Chamber Music is an extension of Jazz Improvisation. Small performance groups are formed from among those students enrolled in the class. Jazz Chamber Music (JCM) groups provide an excellent opportunity to apply and further develop one’s improvisation and performance skills. Students involved in JCM groups meet twice weekly- one coached rehearsal, and one uncoached rehearsal.
Eligibility
Prerequisites:
UNT's premiere Jazz trombone ensemble, directed by Nick Finzer and assisted a graduate teaching fellow. Rhythm section players may earn a lab credit for playing in U-Tubes.
Latin Jazz Lab is directed by José Aponte and focuses on Latin jazz and related styles. Indicate your preference to be considered for this group on the Lab Band audition form.
There are currently four vocal jazz ensembles in the Jazz Division at UNT:
All four ensembles are open to any registered UNT student (regardless of major), on the basis of live auditions held at the beginning of each semester. For more information, visit the Vocal Jazz Ensemble auditions page.
The Commercial Music Lab is a contemporary jazz repertory ensemble including: 4-5 horns, keyboardists, pianists, guitarists, a bassist, a drummer, a percussionist, and vocalist(s).
Auditions:
Interested players should indicate that on their primary jazz lab audition information sign-up form. Call-back auditions will be held during the first and second official class day. This audition will measure the student's understanding of the idiom.
The guitar ensembles are some of the many diverse performing groups at UNT. In these ensembles, guitarists have the unique opportunity to rehearse and perform in a section of five or more guitars. This helps the student focus on reading skills, ensemble blend, group articulations, comping and soloing. Currently, there are two ensembles with instrumentations of five guitars, bass and drums. The L-5 and the Super 400 perform arrangements by current and former students and faculty in a variety of jazz styles. They are directed by UNT Jazz Guitar faculty and graduate teaching fellows.
The Jazz Studies curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, with areas of specialization in Instrumental Performance, Jazz Arranging, and Vocal Performance. Degree plans for each of these areas (outlined by semester) are found here under "Semester-by-Semester Plans": https://music.unt.edu/advising.
Important Notice: A good curriculum is organic and ever changing. We highly recommend that you consult your advisor and double-check your degree plan before using this information for anything but reference.
For the best up-to-date information, please refer to the academic advisors, mentor faculty, and Chair Rob Parton.
Dated: September 21, 2023
Undergraduate and graduate students who are receiving a scholarship are required to participate in a lab.
Attendance: Substitutes may be sent a maximum of three times during a semester (six times for students who play four times a week) according to the following guidelines:
