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Jazz at ASU

JAZZ.....

A kind of music that emerged in the southern United States, particularly in the city of New Orleans, around the end of the 19th century. The term itself . . . gained currency around 1915 and has since been applied to diverse and continually changing styles. Throughout the history of jazz, its tonal language has been essentially that of Western Europe combined with characteristic inflections of pitch. Other Characteristics are study though often syncopated rhythm . . . improvisation . . . and effects of intonation and timbre different from those employed in the traditional Western concert music. (Randel, Harvard Concise Dictionary of Music,. 1978)

Jazz, the first truly American art form, is a very important part of our cultural heritage and has the potential of playing a significant role in the music education process. With this in mind, the School of Music at Appalachian has established a Jazz Certification Program. Admission to this program is available to all students of the University upon the recommendation of the Director of Jazz Studies.

Jazz Certification Program

Purpose of the Program:

• To identify students with a special interest in jazz.
• To promote a structural sequence of courses in the field of jazz.
• To provide a vehicle for the proper advising of students with this interest.
• To expand the circle of students who have meaningful experiences with jazz during their college careers.

Admission to the Program:

• The student must complete an application form (available from the Director of Jazz Studies).
• The completed form must be returned to the Ofice of the Dean of Music.

Certificate:

• Upon completion of the program, the student will receive a jazz Certificate indicating competence in this area of study.
• Jazz Certificates will be awarded during the annual Honors Seminar.

The Jazz Program

Jazz Ensemble (4 Semester Hours)
Tunes (2 Semester Hours)
Improvisation (4 Semester Hours)
Jazz in American Society (3 Semester Hours)
Completion of Level 4 in the Applied Area

Total of 13 Semester Hours

Director of Jazz Studies

Mr. Todd Wright joined the Appalachian State University music faculty in 1990. As Director of Jazz Studies he is responsible for conducting Jazz Ensemble I and teaching courses in Jazz Improvisation and Jazz History.

Mr. Wright earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Pikeville College (KY) in 1982. He came to Appalachian State University where he earned the Master of Music and Specialist in Education degrees. As a graduate student, he performed with the Jazz Ensemble and formed his own professional group, the Todd Wright Quartet. He is recognized as one of the finest young jazz musicians in the Southeast and is a winner of Downbeat Magazine's "Gold Award" (Chicago Music Fest, 1987). Mr Wright completed the Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida in 2004.

Mr. Wright has performed with jazz greats Richie Cole, Clark Terry, Jon Faddis, Rich Matteson, Louis Bellson, Bill Watrous, Herb Ellis, and Loonis McGloohan. He is a member of the International Jazz Educators Association, the Music Educators National Conference, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Wright's webpage