Jazz

Contact: jazz@gsmd.ac.uk

Principal Study Jazz students benefit from a broad range of music study with a specialist focus on jazz. Whilst working within the framework of the four year BMus programme, this unique course develops skills within a wide range of musical fields.

The balance of study will be determined by the student's individual needs with support and advice from the Director of Music and the appropriate professors. Years 3 and 4 of the course allow students to follow a more specialised programme of study.

Within the BMus syllabus outlined above, students receive the following specialist training:

  • Principal Study one-to-one jazz tuition
  • Jazz musical awareness/improvisation workshops
  • Jazz small bands
  • Jazz repertoire class
  • Jazz aural class
  • Big Band
  • Jazz Singers
  • Jazz keyboard skills
  • Jazz arranging class
  • Jazz history class
  • Jazz performance platforms
  • Rhythm class
  • Vintage jazz workshops
  • Contemporary jazz workshops
  • Jazz masterclasses with visiting artists

Performance and communication skills are an essential part of the Jazz Option. Individual artistic development is as important as the learning of the skills taught within the course.

Yvette Riby-Williams

'While I'm at the Guildhall I have lots of opportunities to work with young people, to record, to perform, and to gather the necessary skills to teach.'
Yvette Riby-Williams, BMus Jazz Singing

The course often hosts and performs with visiting artists.

Department of Jazz teaching staff