Siena Jazz (by Ministerial Decree D.M. November 10, 2011, No. 193) offers Higher Artistic Education qualifications for the award of the Bachelor’s Degree in:
- Electric Bass
- Jazz Guitar
- Jazz Double Bass
- Jazz Clarinet
- Jazz Saxophone
- Jazz Trumpet
- Jazz Trombone
- Jazz Piano
- Jazz Drums and Percussion
- Jazz Voice
Throughout the three-year program, students will have the opportunity to develop the necessary technical and theoretical skills to approach the jazz tradition repertoire, practiced both in small ensembles—such as combo classes—and in larger formations as the SJU Big Band.
Under the supervision of two instrumental music teachers — one focused on instrumental practice and the other on improvisation — a diverse and stimulating study path is designed. This provides students with the tools they need to become proficient performers and independent learners, focusing on reading, understanding, and performing jazz repertoire.
Additionally, the program emphasizes each student’s expressive needs, encouraging personal artistic exploration beyond jazz and aiming to interconnect various areas of interest to develop an artistic identity that reflects each musician’s uniqueness.
Course Organization
Courses follow a biweekly schedule with lessons held from Wednesday to Saturday, except in special cases (such as make-up classes or the SJU Stage events).
There are 16 sessions per Academic Year, ensuring a total of:
· 400 hours in the 1st year
· 384 hours in the 2nd and 3rd years
The study plan includes:
- 32 hours of individual instrument lessons
- 128 hours of ensemble music, divided into two courses (64 hours of “Performance practice and repertoire” and 64 hours of “Improvisation on the instrument”) where each teacher leads the group as the leader of the training
- 64 hours of ensemble music as interplay workshops, divided into two courses
- 64 hours of Ensemble Music as Research Laboratories, divided into two courses
- 64 hours of musical improvisation workshops
- 32 hours of Ear Training (advanced course)
- 32 hours of Analysis of Compositional Forms
Attendance is mandatory, and absences must not exceed 20% of total lesson hours.
Professional Profile and Career Opportunities
Earning the Bachelor’s Degree allows access to Master’s Degree courses, advanced training, and specialization programs. It also qualifies graduates for a range of professional roles in the music industry, such as:
- Strumentista solista jazz
- Strumentista in gruppi jazz
- Orchestra musician
- Music teacher in non-professional schools;
- Music teacher in professional schools;
Students can also choose from elective subjects, for which preferences can be expressed at the beginning of the Academic Year. Courses are held in small groups to ensure accessibility and engagement for all students.