February 19, 2006 - 4:00pm
Budding jazz artists take note - auditions are taking place for 30 coveted seats in Malaspina University-College's new Bachelor of Music degree program in jazz performance.
Third-year classes, which begin September 2006 in Nanaimo, include jazz theory/arranging, jazz history, aural skills, improvisation and performance. The new program will appeal to music students throughout BC and across Canada, including graduates of Malaspina's existing two-year diploma program in jazz studies.
Collin MacQuarrie, chair of Malaspina's music program, said the department "has been fielding a lot of calls" from interested students since the provincial government approved the degree program a few weeks ago.
Until now, students who wanted to pursue a degree in jazz performance had to move to eastern Canada or the US to attend institutions like McGill University in Montreal, University of Toronto or Berklee School of Music in Boston, said MacQuarrie.
"Now students can complete their degrees in jazz performance right here on Vancouver Island," he said. "We're absolutely delighted. We've been pushing for a jazz degree program at Malaspina for 15 years."
The new degree program "is great news for music students, for Malaspina and for the local economy," said Richard Leighton, owner of Arbutus Music and graduate of Malaspina’s two-year jazz diploma program.
"Nanaimo is well-known for producing incredible jazz talent," Leighton said. "The fact that our regional university-college now offers a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz performance gives students - especially those in western Canada - greater options. It raises the profile of Nanaimo’s music industry even more."
Malaspina University-College President Rich Johnston said he is thrilled that Malaspina has been granted the approval to offer a bachelor of music in jazz performance.
"This option gives jazz students the opportunity to continue living and learning in our community," said Johnston. "The mid-island is quickly becoming known as a haven for performers and artists, and I’m pleased that Malaspina can support the further growth of this industry."
Small class sizes, a beautiful campus and affordable tuition fees are just a few reasons why many music students would choose to complete their post-secondary education at Malaspina, added MacQuarrie. About 100 students a year enroll in the two-year jazz program, although MacQuarrie expects that number to grow with the new degree program.
Malaspina music students have access to fully equipped facilities, including a recording studio and a state-of-the-art music lab. The lab has doubled in size in the past two years, and includes 16 computer stations with the latest software and hardware.
Experienced faculty is another drawing card. MacQuarrie, an instructor in the department for 26 years, is one of five full-time instructors along with Steve Jones (28 years), Patrick Carpenter (27 years), Myron Makepeace (19 years) and Alex Tsisserev (9 years). The department includes internationally renowned guitarist Pat Coleman, bassist Ken Lister, jazz vocalist Teresa MacQuarrie, and Bryan Stovell, who 38 years teaching music in Nanaimo area high schools and mentored international jazz sensation Diana Krall and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen.
Phil Dwyer, whom MacQuarrie describes "as one of the best sax players in the country, also teaches in the department. Dwyer has recently been nominated for four Juno awards.
Students interested in auditioning for third-year classes in Malaspina’s new Bachelor of Music in jazz performance degree program should contact MacQuarrie at 740-6109 or Patrick Carpenter at 753-3245, local 2473. Auditions are also underway for first year classes.
Tags: In the Community
