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University of Nebraska at Omaha

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

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BA Music

Jazz Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program Recognition

School of Music is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

UNO Jazz Ensemble won a Global Music Award Silver Medal (Latin Jazz) for its 2024 recording with featured artist José Valentino — one of only two student groups recognized among professionals

Training

Bachelor of Arts track: jazz study folds directly into a single combined 53-hour major (through Music Core III) rather than the BM's separate 31-hour core plus concentration structure, leaving room for a second major or minor

Coursework includes Jazz Improvisation and Theory, Arranging for Jazz Ensemble I & II, Music of the People: Jazz, and African-American Popular Music From Bebop to Hip-Hop

Music-industry electives built into the major: Sound Reinforcement, Exploring Music Technology, and Business of Music

Applied lessons stay at 1 credit each semester across all four years, with one senior recital rather than the BM's junior-plus-senior recital requirement

Study with the UNO Faculty Jazz Combo (Darren Pettit, sax; Jason Johnson, trumpet; Pete Madsen, trombone; Mark Misfeldt, piano; Brad Thomson, guitar; Andy Hall, bass)

Performance & Productions

UNO Jazz Ensemble performs swing, Latin, and contemporary big-band charts and tours nationally and abroad

Host of the UNO/OPA Great Plains Jazz Festival, one of the largest educational jazz festivals in the Midwest

Facilities

Strauss Performing Arts Center — concert and recital halls plus an on-site recording studio where the award-winning jazz album was recorded

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.40

Admit rate

87%

school-wide

Grad rate

47%

Enrollment

11.5K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,768

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$26,092

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$28,560

Before aid

Average net price

$13,441

After aid

Estimated Cost Of Attendance · unomaha.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 7, 10:35 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

School of Music is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

UNO Jazz Ensemble won a Global Music Award Silver Medal (Latin Jazz) for its 2024 recording with featured artist José Valentino — one of only two student groups recognized among professionals

Training

Coursework includes Jazz Improvisation and Theory, Arranging for Jazz Ensemble I & II, Music of the People: Jazz, and African-American Popular Music From Bebop to Hip-Hop

Music-industry electives built into the major: Sound Reinforcement, Exploring Music Technology, and Business of Music

Applied lessons stay at 1 credit each semester across all four years, with one senior recital rather than the BM's junior-plus-senior recital requirement

Study with the UNO Faculty Jazz Combo (Darren Pettit, sax; Jason Johnson, trumpet; Pete Madsen, trombone; Mark Misfeldt, piano; Brad Thomson, guitar; Andy Hall, bass)

Performance & Productions

UNO Jazz Ensemble performs swing, Latin, and contemporary big-band charts and tours nationally and abroad

Host of the UNO/OPA Great Plains Jazz Festival, one of the largest educational jazz festivals in the Midwest

Facilities

Strauss Performing Arts Center — concert and recital halls plus an on-site recording studio where the award-winning jazz album was recorded

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

School of Music is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

UNO Jazz Ensemble won a Global Music Award Silver Medal (Latin Jazz) for its 2024 recording with featured artist José Valentino — one of only two student groups recognized among professionals

Training

Coursework includes Jazz Improvisation and Theory, Arranging for Jazz Ensemble I & II, Music of the People: Jazz, and African-American Popular Music From Bebop to Hip-Hop

Music-industry electives built into the major: Sound Reinforcement, Exploring Music Technology, and Business of Music

Applied lessons stay at 1 credit each semester across all four years, with one senior recital rather than the BM's junior-plus-senior recital requirement

Study with the UNO Faculty Jazz Combo (Darren Pettit, sax; Jason Johnson, trumpet; Pete Madsen, trombone; Mark Misfeldt, piano; Brad Thomson, guitar; Andy Hall, bass)

Performance & Productions

UNO Jazz Ensemble performs swing, Latin, and contemporary big-band charts and tours nationally and abroad

Host of the UNO/OPA Great Plains Jazz Festival, one of the largest educational jazz festivals in the Midwest

Facilities

Strauss Performing Arts Center — concert and recital halls plus an on-site recording studio where the award-winning jazz album was recorded

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$45

Deadline

University admission file — Fall 2027Aug 16, 2027

Application Deadline Dates · catalog.unomaha.edu

Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Repertoire List

Perform two pieces of contrasting musical styles

One selection is recommended to be a standard in 12-Bar Blues form; perform the head for one chorus and an improvised solo for at least one chorus

Other repertoire may include a jazz standard such as Satin Doll, Summertime, Blue Bossa, or Song For My Father

Scales and technique: the committee may ask for all major and minor scales

Rhythm-section applicants should be prepared to sight-read a short, simple melody in standard notation

Winds: perform the head and an improvised solo

Guitar, bass, and piano: perform the head, comp or play a bass line for one chorus, and an improvised solo

Drum set repertoire uses a separate chart-based audition with a swing chart, play-along, trading fours, brush technique, and multiple styles; prepare charts from Jamey Aebersold's Maiden Voyage, Vol. 54, or commercial jazz fake books when using charts

Jazz Area · unomaha.edu

Good to Know

Enrollment

CFAM undergraduate application deadlines: August 1 for fall, December 1 for spring, and June 1 for summer

Apply online at applynow.unomaha.edu

Contact Adam Hilt (Coordinator of Outreach and Recruitment) to schedule an audition

Important Notes

Apply via the UNO Scholarship Application on MavLINK by March 1

Music must be listed as the first major to access music scholarship options

Scholarship consideration is based on audition performance

What's The Process

Audition Process

Contact Adam Hilt, Coordinator of Outreach and Recruitment, to schedule an audition — ahilt@unomaha.edu

In-person audition at the UNO School of Music (Strauss Performing Arts Center)

Audition Format

Jazz Winds: two contrasting pieces with improvisation; scales and sight-reading on request

Jazz Guitar, Bass, and Piano: two contrasting pieces with comping and improvisation; short sight-reading

Jazz Drum Set: perform the provided Swing chart, demonstrate brush technique, and play multiple styles

Contact

Jazz Area Coordinator: Dr. Pete Madsen — petermadsen@unomaha.edu

Outreach and Recruitment: Adam Hilt — ahilt@unomaha.edu

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

Apply via the UNO Scholarship Application on MavLINK by March 1

Music must be listed as the first major to access music scholarship options

Scholarship consideration is based on audition performance

Cfam Scholarships

College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media awards $300,000+ in competitive scholarships annually

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.40

Admit rate

87%

school-wide

Grad rate

47%

Enrollment

11.5K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,768

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$26,092

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$28,560

Before aid

Average net price

$13,441

After aid

Estimated Cost Of Attendance · unomaha.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

School of Music is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

UNO Jazz Ensemble won a Global Music Award Silver Medal (Latin Jazz) for its 2024 recording with featured artist José Valentino — one of only two student groups recognized among professionals

Training

Coursework includes Jazz Improvisation and Theory, Arranging for Jazz Ensemble I & II, Music of the People: Jazz, and African-American Popular Music From Bebop to Hip-Hop

Music-industry electives built into the major: Sound Reinforcement, Exploring Music Technology, and Business of Music

Applied lessons stay at 1 credit each semester across all four years, with one senior recital rather than the BM's junior-plus-senior recital requirement

Study with the UNO Faculty Jazz Combo (Darren Pettit, sax; Jason Johnson, trumpet; Pete Madsen, trombone; Mark Misfeldt, piano; Brad Thomson, guitar; Andy Hall, bass)

Performance & Productions

UNO Jazz Ensemble performs swing, Latin, and contemporary big-band charts and tours nationally and abroad

Host of the UNO/OPA Great Plains Jazz Festival, one of the largest educational jazz festivals in the Midwest

Facilities

Strauss Performing Arts Center — concert and recital halls plus an on-site recording studio where the award-winning jazz album was recorded

Updated Sep 7, 10:35 PM