Jazz & Commercial Music Program Philosophy

The Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver is internationally recognized for the quality if its professional music instruction, and the Jazz Studies program is one of the most highly recommended programs in the world*. Since its inception in 1924, the Lamont School of Music has been training successful musicians of the highest caliber to achieve their professional ambitions. The goal of the Lamont School of Music has been, and continues to be, to provide the aspiring musician with an environment to achieve their professional goals.

We have a commitment to the future. From MIDI, sound synthesis and reinforcement, through video production, CD technology, and digital processing, we realize that today's musicians need education and experience with the technology of tomorrow. To provide this, we offer a wide range of experiences and classes to educate you with the future in mind. We also incorporate Computer Assisted Learning technologies throughout the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music curriculum.

We've adapted ideas from the most successful jazz and commercial music programs in the world, and added our own special twist to forge a new type of degree program. A program that is as diversified as your interests, and as rigorous as our experienced faculty knows is indispensable for you to attain your goals. When you graduate from our program you will have the performance, composition, business, and musical skills and experience that will enable you to function as a professional musician.

The combo program is at the core of the musical experience in the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music Program, because we honor the fact that the African-American experience is vital to the development of the music that we do. Our faculty of professional musicians, unique to the region, provides combo coaching in the literature and performance practice of jazz and commercial musics. From Scott Joplin, through Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis to Stevie Ray Vaughan, our program allows you to gain knowledge and experience in all types of African-American Music.

*Everett, Carole J., The Performing Arts Major's College Guide, 2nd edition, 1994, Macmillan Inc., NY

The Jazz Studies and Commercial Music Program Faculty