Academe3

Hear Ye All,

Pinoy Jazz has finally taken root in the oldest institution of higher education in the country, University of Santo Tomas. Founded by the Spanish friars of that order, it precedes Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by over a hundred years! Its campus situated in España, Manila, is home to old European architecture reflective of its glorious past. Today it is surrounded by a concrete jungle bustling with students from a wide range of Filipino society.

The University's music conservatory is headed by monster classical pianist, the boyish looking and open minded, Raul Sunico. He maintains a flat in New York City where he lived for sometime as a serious music student in pursuit of world class excellence; for where is a better place in America where you can do this? Everybody knows the "Big Apple" is the center of jazz music in the world.

Raul has taken a bold step by introducing a jazz program inspired by Berklee College of Music alumni, Tots Tolentino. The subjects being offered are: Introduction to Jazz Music by Ruben Reyes; Jazz Literature by Roger Llado; Jazz Theory and Harmony by Lyndon Aguilar; Jazz Improvisation by Tots Tolentino: Jazz Arranging also by Tots; Midi Basic by Antonio Africa; and UST Jazz Band performance by Roger Llado.

The dye has been cast and hopefully the rainbow rhythm of jazz will engulf all those in thirst of pursuing America's greatest gift to the World, that four letter word that everybody has come to love!

Richie Quirino

P.S. For more information, contact UST's music department.

UST Music Department Link

Office Location: Albertus Magnus Building
University of Santo Tomas
Espana, Manila 1083
Telephone (632) 406-1611 Loc. 8246 OR (632) 731-4022

Webmaster’s note: Below is one example of UST’s new jazz curriculum, a syllabus developed by Tots Tolentino for Jazz Improvisation I. Although this specific syllabus is not entirely complete due to a faulty fax transmission to Jazzphil, it still provides our visitors with a very good idea of how rigorous the new curriculum is.

Other courses include the following:

Jazz Improvisation II
Jazz Arranging
Jazz Ensemble
At present the jazz program UST is offering does not have enough subjects leading to a "music major in jazz." At present these subjects are "electives" that any music major may avail of in order to complete the required number of credits in his or her chosen major.

Jazz Improvisation I
(School year 2005-06)

Introduction

Scales for Jazz Improvisation

Chord Construction

The Chord Family

The II-V-I Progression

Basic Harmonic Principles Blues Progression

Chord Scale Syllabus

Application of Chord Scales to Chord Progressions

Use of Modes (Major and Minor key)

Song Analysis and Chord Scale Application

Modes in Major Key

Song Analysis and Chord Scale Application

Modes on Minor Key

Song Analysis and Chord Scale Application

Chord Scales and Blues progression

Song Analysis and Chord Scale Application

Symmetrical Diminished scale

Motivic Development

The use of thematic material and development throughout an improvised solo

Solo Transcription Analysis

Analyzing solo transcriptions: Charlie Parker's "Parker's Mood"

Melodic Development

Developing ideas from the existing melodic theme

Tension and release

Effective use of material through basic principles of tension and release. Preparation for final project.

Final Project:

1. Improvised Solo written out injentirety of a 32 bar song form of the students choice. 2 Choruses (24 bar) of the Blues progression may be accepted. The solo shall be written out and performed in class.
2. Solos with repeat marks or repeated sections shall not be accepted. Written solos should be of the student's creation from start to end with the exception of the song's melodic theme. The student shall perform the solo with the song melody preceding the improvised portion.
3. No original or composed songs/tunes shall be accepted. The student is required to do the improvisation on an existing piece of music.


	UST Music Department Link