Jazz Composition

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 what professions can a graduate of the Jazz Composition programe find employment? 

  • arranger or composer, based on his or her artistic focus (work for theatres, orchestras, small ensembles);
  • artistic supervisor – artistic and organisational management of own music projects;
  • studio musician with knowledge and experience of making professional recordings;
  • teacher at art schools, conservatories and music grammar schools, universities of arts, a private teacher;
  • music publicist focusing on jazz – music-oriented contributions, annotations, articles, reviews.

What conditions must the applicant meet to apply for the Master’s degree studies? 

The main prerequisite is a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study of the Jazz Composition programme (or an adequate study programme of another art higher education institution) and the relevant specialisation. Specialisations cannot be combined when moving from one level of study to another. 

Applicants who have studied bachelor’s degrees fields must also demonstrate an exceptional level of skills in their specialisation in a practical exam. This practical examination will determine what professional and, above all, artistic prerequisites the applicant has for studying the chosen specialisation of the given study programme.

The entrance examination takes the form of a solo or chamber interpretation performance in the case of Percussion Instruments and Jazz Interpretation specialisation; for the Jazz Composition and Arrangement specialisation, the applicant is required to present at least three own compositions or arrangements. 

An integral part of the entrance examination is a presentation, during which the applicant presents his or her concept of what the follow-up studies should look like. This condition applies to all three specialisations. This will be judged by a committee appointed and approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Music JAMU. This panel will also assess the applicant’s motivation, knowledge and professional level for the Master’s degree programme.

Field of study specification
Code JAZZKOM
Type Follow-up Master’s study programme
Degree MgA.
Length of studies 2 Years
Field of study guaranteed by Faculty Of Music
Accreditation
N0215A310010 Hbnji:N Percussion Instruments and Jazz
Accredited until 28. 07. 2030