University/conservatory degree programs in woodwind doubling, part II: jazz

ByBret Pimentel

In response to my recent post about woodwind doubling degree programs, someone sent me this question:

My question is, out of that list, do you know of which schools offer multiple woodwinds with a Jazz/Contemporary focus … or at least some focus on jazz?

I checked out most of those pages, but it seems it’s all very classical focused.

Before addressing that question, I think it’s worth saying that if you’re going to be a woodwind doubler, a little jazz background is really valuable. Convincing jazz style (articulation, inflection, tone, etc.) is essential for pit and studio work, and the ability to improvise (even a little) can make the difference between getting the gig or staying home to practice.

Some people are overwhelmed by the idea of learning from scratch to play jazz. Don’t be. Most university music programs of medium size or larger offer a beginning improvisation class; here at the University of Georgia, the prerequisite is the ability to play your major scales—not overwhelming for a classically-trained musician. A class like that will take you from zero to improvising a little within the space of a semester. Not a college student? Try contacting some local jazz musicians (maybe by attending their shows at local venues, or going to a nearby university jazz band’s concert). If you hear someone you like, ask about taking some private lessons. You may be surprised how quickly you can learn enough to impress your non-improvising colleagues.

But to return to the question at hand: for those few of us getting our woodwind doubling training in university or conservatory degree programs, are there any good jazz-focused options?

I think there are a few options worth considering:

  1. There are, in fact, just a few schools that have programs blending jazz and woodwind doubling. University of the Arts offers a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance with a woodwind specialist program. New Jersey City University offers a master’s degree in woodwind doubling that includes jazz and commercial music (they suggest electives in improvisation, contemporary music, and jazz history). Click here and scroll down to find it.
  2. If you’ve already got good jazz chops and are a strong saxophonist, there are plenty of places to earn a degree in jazz studies. Contact some jazz professors at schools that interest you, and talk to them about the possibility of using your doubles in your coursework—say, for example, taking an improvisation class on clarinet, or playing flute in a combo. I suspect many schools could really use a strong doubler or two in their big bands, as well (though you will probably have to earn a chair based on a strong saxophone audition).
  3. Most woodwind doubling degree programs are, in fact, classically-oriented. Of course there aren’t many gigs out there for doublers in the strictly classical realm, but the solid technical foundation of classical training is a must for doublers in all genres. I think these programs are an excellent way to go, and especially so if supplemented with some jazz studies. Masters programs at Indiana University (one of my alma maters) require a cognate field (like a minor); I chose to do mine in jazz studies. There are several major jazz schools that offer graduate (and, less commonly, undergraduate) work in multiple woodwinds (University of North Texas, University of Miami, and Indiana spring to mind), so I would strongly suggest considering a multiple-woodwinds-major-plus-jazz minor/cognate combination at one of those schools.

Good luck with your applications and auditions!

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  • Reader email: doubling opportunities

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    I was wondering if you could give me some information on what kind of opportunities being a doubler has opened up for you. I am beginning to consider options for graduate school and am looking into multiple woodwinds degrees. Thanks!

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    View the transcription

    The artist1

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  • |

    Q&A: Instrument purchases

    ByBret Pimentel

    Here are some of the questions readers sent me in celebration of this blog’s 10-year anniversary. I have edited, combined, and otherwise adapted some of them but hopefully there are answers here for those of you who were kind enough to inquire.

    What starting models do you recommend as an entry point for each woodwind?

    Hi! What brand of clarinet would you recommend for an intermediate high school clarinetist who plans on majoring in music education?

    I suspect that you’re both looking for specific brand recommendations, which I mostly avoid doing on the blog, for reasons I’ve highlighted previously (tl;dr: equipment recommendations tend to outlive their usefulness—people cling to them while the market changes around them). Sorry. What I’ll do instead is offer some general advice that applies to beginners, college music majors, woodwind doublers, everybody.

    If you’re buying an instrument on a budget, because you’re a beginner, or because you’re a doubler picking up a secondary instrument: buy the highest-quality student-model instrument you can afford. Get good, current, targeted advice from your private teacher (contact/hire one before you buy your instrument!).

    If you’re in, or about to be in, college: consult with your professor. Period. Head off to college with the instrument you already have, and let your professor guide you through the process of buying what you need.

    As far as I’m concerned, that’s what most woodwind players need to get through their complete formal musical training: a good beginner instrument, and then an instrument suitable for college-level study. “Step-up” or intermediate instruments generally aren’t worth it—they cost most of what a college-suitable instrument costs, but don’t play much better than a good beginner instrument. If your budget is bigger than necessary for a student-level instrument but not big enough for a college-appropriate one, buy a good student model and save up the rest for the next purchase.

    For clarinetists, saxophonists, and oboists, often the college-level instrument is a true professional model, and you won’t ever need anything fancier. Professional level flutists and bassoonists may have more of a need(?) for a nicer instrument beyond their undergraduate degrees, and these can sometimes be in the price range between a new car and a new house.

    How do I deal with the cost of buying all of these woodwind instruments for college?

    If you’re thinking of studying multiple woodwind instruments as a college undergraduate, firstly I recommend that you think that through carefully, and get in touch with the music faculty at the school(s) you are considering. I think for most undergraduate students (including my past self), it makes sense to major in just one instrument, for reasons I’ve addressed previously, and at many schools high-level undergraduate study of multiple woodwinds is impossible or impractical. I think that for most aspiring doublers, graduate school is a better place to dig deeply into it.

    To address your question, though: college-suitable woodwind instruments are expensive, but almost certainly less expensive than tuition or room and board at an American university or maybe even a few semesters’ worth of textbooks. If you’re college-bound in the USA, a pro-level clarinet or oboe is probably the least of your financial woes.

    If you’re planning to pay your way through school with scholarships, then that might not be money you’re able to access for things like instrument purchases. Depending on your personal financial values, it may be worthwhile to get student loans to cover the cost of a new instrument, and pay them off at relatively low interest after you graduate.

    Depending on the instrument and the school, you may be able to borrow or rent a suitable school-owned instrument while you make arrangements to purchase your own.

    Thanks for the questions! Good luck with your instrument purchases.

    More 10-year anniversary Q&A

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