MUSP 239: Competitive Collegiate Jazz Combos

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Credits: 2
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 18
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Total Student Learning Hours: 126
Prerequisite: Audition.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

A performance-intensive jazz ensemble course dedicated to preparing small jazz groups for collegiate festivals, competitions, and adjudicated performances. Students study advanced improvisation, ensemble interaction, repertoire refinement, rhythmic precision, and stylistic interpretation across major jazz traditions. Emphasis is placed on disciplined rehearsal processes, high-level musicianship, artistic excellence, and collaborative performance in competitive settings. This course may be taken four times. Audition required. 36 lecture hours, 18 lab hours arranged.

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate advanced jazz improvisation and ensemble skills, including motivic development, form awareness, stylistic accuracy, and interactive group communication.
  • Prepare and refine competition-ready jazz repertoire, applying advanced harmonic, rhythmic, and stylistic concepts expected in collegiate adjudication settings.
  • Analyze and evaluate jazz combo performances, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and stylistic considerations using common adjudication criteria.
  • Collaborate effectively in a competitive jazz combo, showing professionalism, rehearsal discipline, leadership, and responsibility to the ensemble.

Major Course Content

  • Advanced Ensemble Interaction — communication, cueing, group dynamics, balance, and interactive improvisation in competitive small-group settings.

  • Competition Repertoire Preparation — selecting, arranging, refining, and polishing jazz standards, originals, and contemporary works for adjudicated performance.

  • Improvisation & Harmonic Development — advanced chord-scale relationships, motivic development, phrasing, voice leading, and solo construction.

  • Rhythmic Precision & Time Feel — swing articulations, Latin and contemporary grooves, odd meters, comping interaction, and rhythmic interplay.

  • Guided Listening & Adjudication Standards — analyzing influential jazz combos, reviewing festival scoring rubrics, and identifying stylistic benchmarks.

  • Combo Roles & Accompaniment Techniques — comping approaches, bass lines, drum set interaction, ensemble texture, and supportive performance strategies.

  • Performance Readiness & Stage Presentation — rehearsal discipline, set building, transitions, stage presence, and preparation for live competition environments.

Hours Arranged Content

  1. Sectional rehearsal time
  2. Solos and small group rehearsal time
  3. Solos and small group rehearsal with instrumentalists
  4. Participation in competitive collegiate vocal festivals

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Periodicals relating to harmonic concepts relevant to collegiate vocal competitions

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Transcriptions of vocal solos

Examples of Outside Assignments

Practice music Sectionals Performance

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture, Online Education Lab, Online Education Lecture