JAZZ STUDIES

We have a thriving Jazz Studies Minor Program through collaboration with our versatile faculty and creative student body.

JAZZ STUDIES MINOR (20 HOURS)

  • MH310 Popular Music in America and Beyond (3)

  • MH327 Jazz History (3)

  • MM324 Jazz Harmony (3)

  • MU251 Jazz Improvisation I (3)

  • MU320 Jazz Improvisation II (3)

  • MU329 Jazz Combo (1+1)

  • MU387 Jazz Band (1+1+1)


Contact Us

Jazz Studies Minor Program

Felipe Brito, DMA

fbrito@semo.edu

OUR COMMUNITY IN NUMBERS

30+

STUDENTS TAKING JAZZ STUDIES CLASSES


7+

CLASSES OFFERED


5+

PERFORMANCES YEARLY


Learning Opportunities

The Clark Terry/Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival showcases excellent student musicians and guest artists from around the nation, all contributing to a vibrant festival of jazz and the celebration of music performance and education.

The Holiday JukeBox Concert is a collaboration featuring festive music and the talents of students in the Departments of Music and the Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance.  Sponsored by Saint Francis Healthcare System.

In addition to one national featured artist during The Clark Terry/Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival, we also have masterclasses with jazz and commercial musicians throughout our academy year.

Students have an opportunity to participate in our monthly jam session @Spectrum Record Lounge.

Suppose you want to be a studio musician, a recording artist, a touring performer, an event promoter, a music publisher, or a strong sectional commercial player. In that case, the SEMO Music Jazz Studies Minor Program offers you the tools to succeed in those career paths through our classes and masterclasses. You will learn essential subjects such as marketing, social media, web design, SEO for musicians, management, publishing, distribution, sponsorship, merchandising, and production to be successful in the music business.

We create a dialogue among music not commonly present in the concert hall by learning the richness of folkloric, urban, and popular music repertoire from the African Diaspora Music and Culture, Latin America, and several other minority groups.

Jazz Faculty

(click on the picture or on the name of the faculty member to read their bio)

Felipe Brito, D.M.A.

Director of Jazz Studies and A, Professor of Trombone

Classical, Jazz, and Commercial Music

fbrito@semo.edu

(573) 651-2141

RCS356

Michael Chapa, M.M.

Instructor of Saxophone

Classical, Jazz, and Commercial Music

mchapa@semo.edu

(573) 651-2141

RCS

Jim Beers

Adjunct Professor of Drums

jgbeers@semo.edu

(573) 651-2141

RCS254

Matt Yount, M.M.E

Instructor of Piano

Classical, Jazz, and Commercial Music

myount@semo.edu

(573) 651-2897

RCS357

Jesse Steele, M.M.

Adjunct Instructor of Guitar and Bass Guitar

Classical, Jazz, and Commercial Music

jcsteele@semo.edu

(573) 651-2141

Frank Nawrot, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Music Technology

Composition and Arrangement

fnawrot@semo.edu

RCS352

Sophia Han, D.M.

Associate Professor of Violin and Viola

Music Business

shan@semo.edu

(573) 651-2346

RCS259

Deborah Caldwell, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor of Trumpet

Classical, Jazz, and Commercial Music

dcaldwell@semo.edu

(573) 651-2341

RCS362