JAZZ VIOLIN
FOUNDATION COURSE
Pre-Academic Course in Jazz Violin
The Pre-Academic Jazz Violin 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 Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Violin.
The course is designed for violinists who wish to strengthen their instrumental technique, deepen their understanding of jazz, and gradually expand their knowledge of the repertoire. Special attention is given to intonation, bow control, phrasing, and the role of the violin as a melodic and solo voice within the jazz ensemble.
The program consists of individual violin 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 Violin Bachelor’s Degree Program at Saint Louis.
Duration 1 to 3 years, depending on entry level
Attendance 6 to 10 hours per week, in regular or long-distance mode, depending on the curriculum and student need
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 Violin 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 Violin Bachelor’s Degree Program at Saint Louis.
During the pre-academic Jazz Violin course, students acquire skills in the following areas:
- Lezioni individuali di Violino Jazz. A personalized program focused on developing instrumental technique, intonation, bow control, articulation, and jazz phrasing, with a teacher chosen by the student.
- Ensemble Jazz. Ensemble music activities—ranging from trios to big bands—led by professional jazz musicians, to perform the jazz repertoire in the studio and live.
- Wind Section.Section 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 Violin, students are directly admitted to the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Violin, 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 Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Violin
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Professional jazz violinist for live performances, concerts, tours, and recording sessions in the jazz genre.
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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 melodic composition and interaction with the rhythm section.
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Music producer involved in the development, production, and pre-production of jazz projects in the recording and independent music industries.
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Composer of background music and music for visual media, in the fields of audiovisual production, digital media, and multimedia content.
The Pre-Academic Course in Jazz Violin does not start from scratch and requires prior instrumental experience and a basic understanding of musical language. The program is designed for violinists 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 Violin.
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, students are placed in the level that best matches their skill level. It is therefore possible, for example, to take an advanced violin class, an intermediate harmony class, and a beginner-level 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
The entrance exams 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 violin audition, performance of one or more pieces of the student’s choice, and additional pieces requested by the Committee (see the admission program by clicking on“Download Study Plan”)
- 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
- Aptitude interview aimed at assessing the student’s profile, awareness of the chosen path, and motivation
