MacEwan University's new Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music is one of the few post-secondary music programs in North America to provide an academic degree that combines studies in jazz with other contemporary genres. The program is based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Complementing MacEwan University Music’s well reputed and long-standing two-year Music Diploma program, the four-year Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) program responds to the current professional demands of the music industry and meets the university music degree program standards of the Canadian University Music Society. This new program began in September 2011. Located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the Centre for the Arts and Communications campus is a creative, supportive community with state-of-the-art equipment, small class sizes and many opportunities to perform. This facility includes fully equipped current lab spaces (piano, drum and percussion, music technology, MIDI, recording studio), sound-resistant practice modules, large performance classrooms, and a 363-seat John L. Haar Theatre. The instructors are highly trained and experienced professionals who are active in the music industry. They demonstrate their passion for music in the classroom, and on national and international stages. Taught by Active Industry Professionals Your instructors are active music professionals with a combination of experience, academic credentials and industry contacts. Degree and diploma students will share common curriculum in the first year of core studies: Basic techniques of performing jazz and popular music Fundamental music theory (jazz and traditional) Aural skills History of jazz and popular music Performance ensemble participation In your second, third and fourth years you will pursue one of the following major routes: Performance Composition General - Music Technology and Production minor or - Music Career Management minor or - A combination of courses from the minor areas of study Practice and Perform Ensembles Performance Ensembles are open to all Music Program degree and diploma students. You'll practice and perform with music students from various years and routes of study. Ensembles include: Jazz Ensemble I & II Showcase Band I & II Jazz Combo I & II Jazz Choir Guitar Ensemble Percussion Ensemble With the launch of the Bachelor of Music degree, several new MacEwan University ensembles (new Combos, additional Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Choir, and Contemporary Lab Band) will expand your performance opportunities.

Becoming a contemporary music professional opens potential career options that offer great diversity. Through the breadth of study and personal routes of specialty, a Bachelor of Music degree will develop your expertise and provide you with a knowledge base that may be applied to a wide range of careers in the contemporary music marketplace. Various career routes and related professions include: Performance – soloists, accompanists, ensemble musicians Composer, arranger, orchestrator – commercial and non-commercial music Music director, conductor Music academics (music historians, musicologists, music education specialists) Private and classroom teaching Acoustical engineer, acoustical consultant, acoustical contractor Recording services – engineers, mastering, recording and rehearsal studios, media manufacturer Recording production, distribution and sales Sound designer Music technology (software/hardware research and development) Music videos (all formats) - soundstages, video distribution, production, postproduction and duplication Manufacturing, repair and distribution of musical instruments and equipment Music journalism and commentary, media communications Music library & information sciences Music therapist Industry services – accounting, management, merchandising, publishing, copyright and royalties, tour booking and management A Bachelor of Music degree offers you the academic credential to further your education at the graduate level. MacEwan University‘s first graduates of the new Bachelor of Music program will be recognized at spring convocation 2015.