Jazz@Amherst

An idea pressed into action in the early 2000s and still appropriate today. We are the students and professors who work together to create, share, and explore all aspects of this great musical genre. We enjoy the challenges of performance in the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos as well as the chance to study jazz in private lessons as well as in the classrooms and as independent study opportunities. We enjoy each other socially and rely on each other to support our creative efforts. Check us out!

Still have questions? Check out our Jazz@Amherst FAQ!

Also, learn more about submiting supplementary arts materials for review by Amherst faculty.

Jazz Studies & Private Lessons

The Amherst College Music Department provides many different outlets to explore jazz in an academic setting. Each semester, the Music Department offers at least one jazz theory course as well as other less theoretical jazz and pop courses.

The Music Department also allows for students to collaborate with jazz professors and create their own “special topics” course. These courses usually contain no more than three students and have dealt with a slew of jazz topics within the last few years.

Learn more about jazz studies & our professors »

Prospective Student-Musicians

Each fall and spring, students interested in our Performance Program are invited to audition with Bruce Diehl. This painless process will allow us to chat, determine what your jazz goals are for the semester/year, and place you in the best performance environment.

To answer a frequently asked question — yes, it is possible (and encouraged!) to perform in the Amherst College Jazz Ensemble and a Jazz Combo at the same time.

Learn more and sign up to audition »