Masters

Music - Jazz Performance

Overview

The Master of Music in Jazz Performance program helps students improve as jazz performers and improvisers. The curriculum includes:

  • private jazz instruction
  • small and large ensembles
  • improvisation
  • other traditional academic music courses such as research, history and literature, etc.

 Students are required to perform at least one graduate jazz recital.

Point of Pride

Jazz Performance students study with an outstanding group of jazz faculty and apply their learning to live ensemble and solo performances.

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Angelo Favis
(309) 438-8960
Centennial East 230

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Discover what life as an Illinois State graduate student is like.

How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

  • have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
  • have a minimum 2.8 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
  • present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

It is recommended interested students contact the Director of Jazz Studies directly either during or before the application process.

A student applying to this program must:

  • Have completed an undergraduate degree in music (or the equivalent for international students) and earned a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate enrollment
  • Fill out a School of Music application (included within the university application)
  • Include three current letters of recommendation
  • You must have a live or recorded performance audition on your primary applied instrument. Find suggested repertoire of your specific instrument/voice.
  • Write a statement of interest (approximately 250 words)

The GRE is not required.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students

International students applying to the program will also need:

  • English translation(s) of official transcript(s), verified with fresh seals and signatures
  • A Declaration of Finances
  • An official English Language Exam Score (TOEFL or IELTS)
    • The minimum iBT TOEFL score is 79
    • The minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5
    • Official scores need to be sent to Illinois State directly from ETS (TOEFL) or the testing center which administered the test (IELTS)
  • A copy of your passport.

The documents listed above for international students need to be sent to the Office of Admissions. 

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Term — January 15; will review after if space permits
  • Spring Term — November 1; will review after if space permits
  • Summer Term — Not available

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Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

  • be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
  • be in good-standing
  • be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

  • monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
  • a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
  • a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Graduate School Tuition Scholarships

The School of Music awards a limited number of Graduate School Tuition Scholarships on a competitive basis to incoming students who show promise for success and who have not received an assistantship or other awards funding tuition costs. These tuition scholarships are awarded upon recommendation of the faculty and approval by the Graduate Advisory Committee and are contingent upon funding from the University.

Incoming students who have been admitted into graduate programs in the School of Music must be enrolled full-time and have a minimum entrance GPA of 2.8 to be eligible. In addition, incoming summers-only MMEd students may be eligible to receive these scholarships but must be full-time teachers and not already receiving funding from their employing school district.

Review more information about graduate funding options at Illinois State University.

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

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