JAZZ TRUMPET
FOUNDATION COURSE
Pre-Academic Jazz Trumpet Course
The Pre-Academic Jazz Trumpet Program at Saint Louis College of Music is a preparatory program designed to build a solid technical and musical foundation in jazz. Students gradually develop the skills necessary to continue their studies in the Jazz Trumpet Bachelor’s Degree Program.
The course is designed for trumpet players who wish to strengthen their instrumental technique, deepen their understanding of jazz, and gradually expand their knowledge of the repertoire. Particular attention is given to tone control, breath control, articulation, phrasing, and the role of the trumpet as a solo instrument within the jazz ensemble.
The program consists of individual trumpet lessons, supplemented by ensemble activities and guided study of the musical and theoretical aspects related to the instrument. The pre-academic program is the initial phase of a progressive educational path that allows students to continue their studies in the Jazz Trumpet Bachelor’s Degree Program at Saint Louis.
Duration 1 to 3 years, depending on entry level
Enrollment 6 to 10 hours per week, either in-person or online, depending on the curriculum and the student’s needs
Where Rome, Saint Louis College of Music
Language Italian and English
Admission Process: Placement Test to Assess Initial Skills
The Pre-Academic Course in Jazz Trumpet lasts between 1 and 3 years, depending on the student’s entry level and pace of learning. The curriculum is structured to ensure the progressive development of technical, musical, and theoretical skills.
The program follows a gradual progression that consolidates instrumental technique, develops stylistic awareness, and strengthens the ability to interact musically within an ensemble. At the end of the third pre-academic year, after passing the required exams, the student is admitted directly to the Jazz Trumpet Bachelor’s Degree Program at Saint Louis.
During the pre-academic Jazz Trumpet course, students acquire skills in the following areas:
- Lezioni individuali di Tromba Jazz. A personalized program focused on developing instrumental technique, tone control, articulation, and jazz phrasing, with a teacher chosen by the student.
- Jazz Ensemble.Group music activities—ranging from trios to big bands—led by professional jazz musicians, to perform the jazz repertoire both in the studio and live.
- Sezione Fiati. Section-specific work focusing on collective intonation, coordinated articulation, and tonal cohesion in the jazz repertoire.
- Improvvisazione Jazz. A progressive study of improvisational techniques applied to the repertoire, with a focus on phrasing and the relationship between harmonic structure and melodic development.
- Armonia jazz contemporanea. Study of the main harmonic structures used in improvisation and musical interaction.
- Jazz Ear Training. Development of listening and transcription skills for melodies and harmonic progressions drawn from the jazz repertoire.
- Armonia applicata al piano. Piano practice as a tool to support harmonic understanding and independent study of the repertoire.
- Music Technology. Use of the main music production software programs for individual study and jazz practice.
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Academic Course in Jazz Trumpet, students are directly admitted to the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Trumpet, a degree recognized by the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and awarded by Saint Louis College of Music.
The subsequent three-year program will provide students with a structured, in-depth exploration of the language of jazz and enable them to develop artistic and professional skills geared toward concert performance, studio production, and participation in musical projects in the jazz and contemporary genres.
Career Opportunities for Graduates of the Jazz Trumpet Degree Program
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Professional jazz trumpeter for live performances, concerts, tours, and recording sessions in the fields of jazz and improvised music.
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An artist and bandleader of original jazz projects, playing an active role in musical direction, performance, and ensemble management.
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Arranger for small and medium-sized jazz ensembles, with a particular focus on writing for wind instruments and on the balance between structured and improvised parts.
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Music producer, involved in the development, implementation and pre-production of jazz projects, in the recording and independent spheres.
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Composer of background music and music for visual media, incorporating jazz elements into audiovisual contexts, digital media, and multimedia content.
The Pre-Academic Jazz Trumpet Course at Saint Louis College of Music does not start from scratch; it requires prior instrumental experience and a basic understanding of musical theory. The program is designed for trumpet players who wish to systematically structure their jazz training as part of a progressive curriculum that allows them to continue their studies in the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Trumpet.
Entrance test and pathway customization
Students may enroll in the first year or be admitted directly to the second or third pre-academic year, depending on the level of preparation demonstrated during the entrance exam.
For each subject, the student is placed in the level best suited to his or her skills. For example, you might be placed in an advanced trumpet class, an intermediate harmony class, and a beginner ear training class. Each subject follows an independent, progressive curriculum tailored to the student’s actual level, ensuring a coherent and personalized education.
How the entrance test is conducted
Entrance exams for the pre-academic jazz courses are held:
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in June
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In September, exclusively for any places still available
The entrance test evidence includes:
- Jazz trumpet audition, performance of one or more pieces of the student’s choice, and additionalpiecesrequested by the Committee (see the admissions program by clicking on“Download Curriculum”)
- Harmony Exam, structured as shown in the facsimile for admission to the 2nd and 3rd levels of harmony
- Ear training test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of ear training
- An aptitude interview designed to assess the student’s profile, understanding of the chosen path, and motivation.
The pre-academic course includes the choice between 4 different methods of attendance:
- Ordinary Attendance: weekly meetings, with a commitment of between 6 and 10 hours of lectures, concentrated in 2-4 days per week. This mode allows for guided and continuous learning, with constant comparisons and regular progress checks. Requires an average individual study commitment of about 6 hours daily.Some subjects are available both in-person and entirely online.
- Long-distance attendance: a mode designed for students who do not reside in or near Rome, or for those who work. It includes6 to 8 hours of intensive online classes every Friday afternoon (Ear Training and Harmony) and on Saturdays, alternating between in-person and online sessions on a weekly basis. Long-distance enrollment is available exclusively for pre-academic courses.
- Teen Music Academy attendance: a mode optimized for students attending high school, with a personalized course that engages one or two afternoons a week. The goal is to develop the skills needed to continue their studies in academic programs after earning their high school diploma. If there is special ability and talent, admission to academic courses is possible even before graduation. Some subjects are available both in-person and entirely online.
- DAD attendance: an entirely distance learning mode, aimed at students from all over the world, which allows students to attend training without any physical attendance requirements.
