Jazz

UGA Jazz

The University of Georgia's jazz program consists of ensembles and combos, jazz improvisation and private lessons. Students have the option of either formally applying and auditioning for the jazz minor, or they can particiate individually in various jazz ensemble opportunities.

Audition Repertoire

Questions about the Jazz program should be directed to Prof. David D'Angelo.

Lessons

Jazz Private Applied Lessons at UGA are a one on one lessons open to music majors on all instruments. 

Students learn a variety of commonly used song forms based on American standards as well as jazz standards, study jazz harmony and melodic structures, and work on exercises in all keys to develop improvisational skills.

Improvisation

The Jazz improvisation course at the Hodgson School is open to all UGA students—both music majors as well as non music majors—by audition.

The class format is similar to another combo, including drums, piano, guitar and bass, with lead instruments.

Students study song forms of American standard tunes by such composers as George Gershwin and Cole Porter, as well as a broad cross-section of jazz standards by composers like Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, and other contemporaries.  

The course requires students to rigorously practice and study all chord qualities and corresponding scales in depth on their respective instruments with the goal of forming scale-based melodies over sets of chord changes.  Students will also have a weekly transcription assignment of a standard or jazz standard recording.  

The Jazz Improvisation course meets twice per week.

Jazz Band

Instrumentation is saxophones, trombones, trumpets, plus rhythm section including piano, bass, drums, and guitar. This ensemble rehearses music from all eras of big band jazz, from Duke Ellington through contemporary composers. Students are accepted by audition.

The UGA Jazz Band I has performed by invitation at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Vienne Jazz Festival in France.

 

Conducting

Choir

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s conducting studies department features internationally recognized faculty, attracting talented young musicians from the United States and abroad. 

Conducting students at the Hodgson School enjoy countless opportunities to lead performances. Students have the opportunity to participate in and collaborate with the Hodgson School's numerous small chamber ensembles, orchestras, bands, and choirs. Additionally, young conductors can also gain valuable interactive performance and teaching experience by participating in one of the Hodgson School's numerous educational and community outreach programs.

Composition & Theory

UGA Composition & Theory

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s composition and theory area features internationally recognized faculty, attracting talented young composers and theorists from the United States and abroad. 

Composition and theory students at the Hodgson School enjoy countless opportunities to present their work, including frequent Student Composers Association recitals and chamber music performances, and research symposia. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in and collaborate with the Hodgson School's numerous small chamber ensembles, orchestras, bands, and choirs.

Area Chair: Peter Van Zandt Lane (pvzl@uga.edu)

Click here to go to the Dancz Center of New Music, Music Composition at UGA website

 

Brass

UGA Brass Area

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s brass department features internationally recognized faculty.

Brass students from around the world come to study with our renowned faculty, having numerous opportunities to play in various ensembles within the School of Music. Students have opportunities to play in large ensembles such as the band, orchestra, and jazz band, and also have chamber opportunities including various small instrumental ensembles. The fully funded graduate brass quintet, the Bulldog Brass Society, is active both around campus and the community. Weekly masterclasses provide the students with ample opportunities to perform, visiting guest artists provide inspiration, and a newly formed brass band create boundless opportunities for the motivated student.

The brass area pride ourselves on giving individual attention to every student.  All music majors study with their major professor rather than a teaching assistant, and studio trips to various festivals and competitions are commonplace amongst our studios. Please feel free to contact any of our brass faculty for further information about UGA, and we hope to see you in Athens in the future!

Faculty Artist Brandon Craswell, trumpet: Songs for my Daughter

Ramsey
Ramsey Concert Hall
Special Information:
Tickets are $3 - $12

UGA Trumpet Professor Brandon Craswell and pianist Greg Hankins will collaborate to create arrangements and transcriptions of familiar children’s songs and lullabies.  The program will be a mix of classical, jazz, and pop.

Visit the Hugh Hodgson School of Music performance calendar here for a complete list of upcoming performances and events, including free recitals.

Buy Tickets Online

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