McGill.CA / Music / Programs / Licentiate in Music / Jazz; L.Mus. (Major)

Yearly Program Study Plan; L.Mus. Jazz

Use this 3-year guide to plan your studies and graduate from your Licentiate in Music (Jazz Performance) program on time.

If you're a transfer student or a CEGEP graduate, you may be able to complete the program in 3 years instead of 4.

Which courses to take each year

This is a basic 3-year plan for students from high school with no advanced standing.

Program audit

You will receive a summary of exemption credits from placement exams, transfer credits, Advanced Placements (AP), etc, before you begin your first semester at the Schulich School of Music. You can access this information via a Program Audit (PA) customized for you. Visit the PA web page to learn more about how you can view your personalized program plan.

Meet with your academic advisor to review your program plan at least once a year.

Course load

You should normally register for 20-23 credits per term.

  • Full-time course load: 12 credits or more
  • Part-time course load: 11 credits or less

Practical instruction and practical exams

  • You must complete 3 practical exams (MUIN 252, 352 and 452) during your program. In some cases, you might take your exams at different times than what we suggest in our sample 3-year plan.
  • Determine when to apply for these exams with your practical instruction teacher.
  • For practical instruction registration details, visit Registration. 

Sample year 1 course plan

  • You must take placement exams in jazz materials and jazz ear training before school starts. Depending on the basis of admission and the placement test results, you may be exempt from jazz music history (MUJZ 187), jazz materials (MUJZ 160 & 161), or jazz ear training (MUSP 123 & 124). To learn more about course exemption criteria, see Placement Exams. 
  • If you choose not to write the placement tests, you are expected to register for the prerequisites, MUJZ 160 & 161 and MUSP 123 & 124 in the first year. You will defer registration for MUJZ 223, 224, 260 & 261 until the second year after you successfully pass the MUJZ prerequisites.
  • You must be proficient in English for all courses, especially Music History. Non-anglophone students should defer MUJZ 187 until their second year and register for an English as Second Language (ESL) course in year 1. Contact the Writing Centre for information on ESL course registration.

Fall term

MUJZ 223. Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

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.
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 161
  • Restriction: Open only to Jazz Performance Majors

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

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(see placement exam note above)

MUJZ 260. Jazz Arranging 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

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.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUJZ 161
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR with permission of instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

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(see placement exam note above)

MUPD 135. Music as a Profession 1.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Music Professional Development: An introduction to information, resources, and skills related to physical, mental, and professional well-being for the musician and scholar.
  • Open to B.Mus. students or by permission of the instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

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(optional course though not required)

  • We recommend that you take this course even though it is not required. It covers useful topics such as injury prevention skills and wellness.

MUIN 250. L.Mus. Practical Instruction 1.

Credits: 6
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Practical instruction in an instrument or voice.
  • Prerequisite: Admission to the L.Mus. program by audition

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

One small combo (MUEN 5xx) 1 credit

One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits

MUJZ 187. Jazz History Survey.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

An introductory study of the principal recordings, artists and musical trends in jazz from its origins to the present day.
  • 3 hours

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

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Winter term

MUJZ 224. Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Continuation of Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship MUJZ 223.
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 223.
  • Restriction: Open only to Jazz Performance Majors

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUJZ 261. Jazz Arranging 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Consolidation of knowledge of basic concepts and techniques used in jazz arranging.
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 260.
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR by permission of instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUIN 251. L.Mus. Practical Instruction 2.

Credits: 6
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Practical instruction in an instrument or voice.
  • Prerequisite: MUIN 250

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUIN 252. L.Mus. Performance 1 Examination.

Credits: 4
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Assessment of student progress.
  • Note: Complete descriptions are to be found under Examinations and Goals in Practical Subjects in the Music Chapter of the University Calendar.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

One small combo (MUEN 5xx) 1 credit

One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits

Year 2 course plan

Fall term

MUJZ 493. Jazz Performance Practice.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

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.
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisites: MUJZ 187, MUJZ 224.
  • Restriction: Open only to Jazz Performance Majors

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUJZ 340. Jazz Composition 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

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.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUJZ 261
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR by permission of instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUJZ 423. Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 3.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

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.
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 224.
  • Restriction: Open only to Jazz Performance Majors

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUIN 350. L.Mus. Practical Instruction 3.

Credits: 6
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Practical instruction in an instrument or voice.
  • Prerequisite: MUIN 251

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

One small combo (MUEN 5xx) 1 credit

One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits

Winter term

MUJZ 341. Jazz Composition 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

A continuation of development of a personal and creative jazz compositional style.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUJZ 340.
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR by permission of instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUJZ 424. Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship 4.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Continuation of Jazz Improvisation/Musicianship MUJZ 423.
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 423.
  • Restriction: Open only to Jazz Performance Majors

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUIN 351. L.Mus. Practical Instruction 4.

Credits: 6
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Practical instruction in an instrument or voice.
  • Prerequisite: MUIN 350

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

One small combo (MUEN 5xx) 1 credit

MUIN 352. L.Mus. Performance 2 Examination.

Credits: 4
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Assessment of student progress.
  • Note: Complete descriptions are to be found under Examinations and Goals in Practical Subjects in the Music Chapter of the University Calendar.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUIN 252

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits

Year 3 course plan

Fall term

MUJZ 440. Advanced Jazz Composition 1 .

Credits: 2
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

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.
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 341
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUJZ 440D1/D2. Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR by permission of the instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder
OR

MUJZ 461D1. Advanced Jazz Arranging.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

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.
  • 2 hours
  • Prerequisite(s): MUJZ 341
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR permission of instructor.
  • Students must register for both MUJZ 461D1 and MUJZ 461D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both MUJZ 461D1 and MUJZ 461D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUIN 450. L.Mus. Practical Instruction 5.

Credits: 4
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Practical instruction in an instrument or voice.
  • Prerequisite: MUIN 351

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

One small combo (MUEN 5xx) 1 credit

One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits

Winter term

MUJZ 441. Advanced Jazz Composition 2.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

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.
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 440
  • Restricion: 1. Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR by permission of the instructor.
  • 2. Not open to students who have taken MUJZ 440D1 - MUJZ 440 D2.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder
OR

MUJZ 461D2. Advanced Jazz Arranging.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See MUJZ 461D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 461D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both MUJZ 461D1 and MUJZ 461D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUIN 451. L.Mus. Practical Instruction 6.

Credits: 4
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Practical instruction in an instrument or voice.
  • Prerequisite: MUIN 450

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

MUIN 452. L.Mus. Performance 3 Examination.

Credits: 8
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Assessment of student progress.
  • Note: Complete descriptions are to be found under Examinations and Goals in Practical Subjects in the Music Chapter of the University Calendar.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUIN 352

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

* To spread these 8 credits over fall and winter: Instead of MUIN 452,
take

MUIN 452D1. L.Mus. Performance 3 Examination.

Credits: 4
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Assessment of student progress.
  • Students must register for both MUIN 452D1 and MUIN 452D2
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both MUIN 452D1 and MUIN 452D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • MUIN 452D1 and MUIN 452D2 together are equivalent to MUIN 452

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder
in the fall and

MUIN 452D2. L.Mus. Performance 3 Examination.

Credits: 4
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Assessment of student progress.
  • Prerequisite: MUIN 452D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both MUIN 452D1 and MUIN 452D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • MUIN 452D1 and MUIN 452D2 together are equivalent to MUIN 452

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder
in the winter.

One small combo (MUEN 5xx) 1 credit

One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits

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