The Jazz Interpretation Department is quite young compared to other departments of the JAMU Faculty of Music. Although it has only been operating since 2010, it is one of the best Czech departments in its field. The teaching staff is composed of leading Czech and Slovak jazz personalities. The educators include David Dorůžka, Jiří Slavík, Jiří Levíček, Juraj Bartoš, Matúš Jakabčic, Marian Ševčík, Kamil Slezák, Vít Křišťan, Jan Dalecký, Jan Jirucha, Jan Přibil, Lubomír Šrámek. Most of them are active musicians and thus able to transfer their practical experience to the students. The department is headed by Vilém Spilka, a renowned guitarist, playwright and artistic director of the JazzFest Brno international festival and programme director of the Strings of Autumn festival.
In which professions can a graduate of the specialization Jazz Interpretation to succeed?
- within the jazz scene as a soloist or player in an orchestra, or also in popular music, musicals, etc.
- studio player with knowledge and experience of making professional recordings
- artistic director - artistic and organizational management of own music projects
- pedagogue of art schools, conservatories, music grammar schools, art colleges, private pedagogue
- music publicist with a focus on jazz - music contributions, annotations, articles, reviews
Who can apply to study Jazz Interpretation?
What are the specific conditions of the entrance examination and what do applicants need to prepare?
The admission procedure is divided into four parts: theoretical, intonation and practical parts and a general knowledge test with focus on jazz history.
1.Theoretical part:
Testing the knowledge of jazz theory basics. Knowledge test in the field of chord mark recognition and notation. Questions about basic scales and mods and their use. Cadenzas and their derivation. Harmonic notation of the Blues form. A basic familiarity with the jazz repertoire and its composers.
2. Intonation part:
Listening to intervals, chords and modes and their analysis. Demonstration of the ability to hear and create intervals and basic types of fifth and seventh chords in a vocal manner. Notation of the melody and rhythm of selected samples.
3. Practical part:
Blues – interpretation of the chosen theme and improvisation within the jazz idiom and harmony of the blues form. Interpretation of a randomly chosen jazz standard – playing themes from the sheet, improvisation on the given harmony, chordal accompaniment in the given composition for harmonic instruments. Interpretation of a jazz standard of your own choice. Applicant must bring musical notation of the given standard for accompanying players, who will be selected from among the jazz department teachers. The musical notation in C voice must be submitted with the application form.
4. General knowledge test with focus on jazz history.
| Field of study specification | |
|---|---|
| Code | JAZZINT |
| Type | Bachelor’s study programme |
| Degree | BcA. |
| Length of studies | 3 Years |
| Field of study guaranteed by | Faculty Of Music |
| Accreditation | |
|---|---|
|
B0215A310019 Hbnji:B Percussion Instruments and Jazz Accredited until 28. 07. 2030 |
|
| Guarantor | |
|---|---|
| prof. MgA. Martin Opršál | |