The Licentiate in Music (Jazz Performance) is a 100 credit program. You may have fewer credits to complete if you receive course exemptions and/or transfer credits.
Use our sample 3-year program plan to determine when to take each course.
Performance Jazz Major (L.Mus.) (100 credits)
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Degree: Licentiate in Music
Program credit weight: 100
Program Description
The Licentiate in Music (L.Mus.) Major Performance Jazz is a 100-credit program with options in various instruments.
Special Requirements
1. Continuation in the program requires that a grade of A- be maintained in practical instruction/exams and ensembles.
2. Candidates must take the L.Mus. Jazz Performance 1 Examination at the end of their first year of study and the L.Mus. Jazz Performance 2 and 3 Examinations in each of the next two years if they hope to complete the program in the normal length of time.
Required Performance (48 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 250 | L.Mus. Practical Instruction 1. | 6 |
L.Mus. Practical Instruction 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Practical instruction in an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 251 | L.Mus. Practical Instruction 2. | 6 |
L.Mus. Practical Instruction 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Practical instruction in an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 252 | L.Mus. Performance 1 Examination. | 4 |
L.Mus. Performance 1 Examination. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Assessment of student progress. | ||
| MUIN 350 | L.Mus. Practical Instruction 3. | 6 |
L.Mus. Practical Instruction 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Practical instruction in an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 351 | L.Mus. Practical Instruction 4. | 6 |
L.Mus. Practical Instruction 4. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Practical instruction in an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 352 | L.Mus. Performance 2 Examination. | 4 |
L.Mus. Performance 2 Examination. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Assessment of student progress. | ||
| MUIN 450 | L.Mus. Practical Instruction 5. | 4 |
L.Mus. Practical Instruction 5. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Practical instruction in an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 451 | L.Mus. Practical Instruction 6. | 4 |
L.Mus. Practical Instruction 6. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Practical instruction in an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 452 | L.Mus. Performance 3 Examination. | 8 |
L.Mus. Performance 3 Examination. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Assessment of student progress. | ||
Complementary Performance (18 credits)
Large Ensemble Training – during every term of enrolment as a full-time or part-time student.
18 credits selected as follows:
12 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUEN 563 | Jazz Vocal Workshop. | 2 |
Jazz Vocal Workshop. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Vocal workshop for jazz musicians. | ||
| MUEN 572 | Cappella Antica. | 2 |
Cappella Antica. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An ensemble of 8 to 12 voices specializing in early music. N.B. This ensemble may substitute as a Basic Ensemble in programs that specify Choral Ensemble, with Departmental approval. | ||
| MUEN 573 | Baroque Orchestra. | 2 |
Baroque Orchestra. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Open to singers and instrumentalists, this ensemble specializes in chamber music primarily of the Baroque era. | ||
| MUEN 587 | Cappella McGill. | 2 |
Cappella McGill. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An ensemble of 16 voices performing challenging repertoire from the Renaissance to the present day. Since the expectation is a level of performance equivalent to a professional chamber ensemble, singers wishing to join this group should have had considerable ensemble experience, and advanced vocal and sight-reading skills. | ||
| MUEN 590 | McGill Wind Orchestra. | 2 |
McGill Wind Orchestra. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Large ensemble for wind instruments. | ||
| MUEN 592 | Chamber Jazz Ensemble. | 2 |
Chamber Jazz Ensemble. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 This ensemble will deal with the extensive repertoire of music which exists for small jazz orchestra (9-13 instruments). | ||
| MUEN 593 | Choral Ensembles. | 2 |
Choral Ensembles. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Students enrolling in Choral Ensembles will be assigned to one of the above groups. | ||
| MUEN 594 | Contemporary Music Ensemble. | 2 |
Contemporary Music Ensemble. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Ensemble for contemporary music - instruments and voice. | ||
| MUEN 595 | Jazz Ensembles. | 2 |
Jazz Ensembles. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Ensemble for jazz - instruments and voice. | ||
| MUEN 597 | McGill Symphony Orchestra. | 2 |
McGill Symphony Orchestra. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Ensemble for orchestral instruments. | ||
4 credits, select MUEN 570 (1 x 4 semesters) and 2 credits (1 credit x 2 semesters), select either MUEN 570 (1 credit) or MUEN 574 (1 credit).
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUEN 570 | Jazz Combo. | 1 |
Jazz Combo. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 A Jazz Improvisation Ensemble of approximately 4 to 9 players. | ||
| MUEN 574 | Afro-Cuban/Brazilian Jazz Combo. | 1 |
Afro-Cuban/Brazilian Jazz Combo. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 This course covers Afro-Cuban and Brazilian folk music and the jazz-related music that has come directly from it. Much of the work is based on the rhythmic patterns and grooves from these countries. | ||
Required Courses (30 credits)
30 credits selected as follows:
12 credits of Theory
12 credits of Improvisation/Musicianship
6 credits of History
Theory
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUJZ 260 | Jazz Arranging 1. | 3 |
Jazz Arranging 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to concepts and techniques commonly used in jazz arranging. Notation, calligraphy and score preparation are discussed; including study of classical and contemporary scores by prominent jazz arrangers. | ||
| MUJZ 261 | Jazz Arranging 2. | 3 |
Jazz Arranging 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Consolidation of knowledge of basic concepts and techniques used in jazz arranging. | ||
| MUJZ 340 | Jazz Composition 1. | 3 |
Jazz Composition 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Jazz composition based on the stylistic concepts of leading jazz composers. Development of a personal and creative compositional style and of control of factors such as: rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic continuity, vertical modal, and linear modal harmony, polychordal techniques, and non-functional harmonic concepts. | ||
| MUJZ 341 | Jazz Composition 2. | 3 |
Jazz Composition 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A continuation of development of a personal and creative jazz compositional style. | ||
Improvisation/Musicianship
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUJZ 223 | Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 1. | 3 |
Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Basic improvisational concepts with emphasis on time feel, phrasing, articulation, melodic development, voice leading, harmonic control and stylistic nuance. Memorization and aural recognition of standard jazz repertoire also stressed. The aural tradition of the music is emphasized through rhythmic/melodic dictation. | ||
| MUJZ 224 | Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 2. | 3 |
Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Continuation of Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship MUJZ 223. | ||
| MUJZ 423 | Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 3. | 3 |
Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Refinement of improvisational concepts in conjunction with ear training, leading towards the establishment of a personal style of playing. Complex forms and harmonies, and contemporary techniques. Memorization of large and varied repertoire is stressed. The ability to identify, transcribe and perform various melodies, rhythms, and complex harmonies by ear will be stressed. | ||
| MUJZ 424 | Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 4. | 3 |
Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 4. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Continuation of Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship MUJZ 423. | ||
History
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUJZ 187 | Jazz History Survey. | 3 |
Jazz History Survey. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introductory study of the principal recordings, artists and musical trends in jazz from its origins to the present day. | ||
| MUJZ 493 | Jazz Performance Practice. | 3 |
Jazz Performance Practice. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An in-depth exploration of the performance practice of leading jazz figures, primarily through the study of solo transcriptions. Comparative study of conceptual differences in time feel, ornamentation, tone quality, articulation and harmonic and melodic approach. Detailed study of major rhythm sections and their interaction with soloists. | ||
Complementary Courses
4 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUJZ 440 | Advanced Jazz Composition 1 . 1 | 2 |
Advanced Jazz Composition 1 . Terms offered: Fall 2025 A continuation of MUJZ 341. This course will reaffirm the importance of the basic elements of composition with an emphasis on the compositional process and micro-listening. | ||
| MUJZ 441 | Advanced Jazz Composition 2. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Jazz Composition 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A continuation of MUJZ 440. This course will further emphasize and facilitate the development of a personal and creative compositional style. Jazz aesthetics will be emphasized and explored in greater depth. | ||
| MUJZ 461D1 | Advanced Jazz Arranging. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Jazz Arranging. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course introduces advanced concepts in jazz writing by examining scores by historically-important jazz composers/arrangers, as well as contemporary masters. Student writing, including expanded combo, big band, and small group string projects, is geared toward public performance by McGill jazz ensembles and combos. | ||
| MUJZ 461D2 | Advanced Jazz Arranging. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Jazz Arranging. Terms offered: Winter 2026 See MUJZ 461D1 for course description. | ||
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Students select either MUJZ 440 and MUJZ 441 or MUJZ 461D1 and MUJZ 461D2.
