The University of Missouri has announced a new bachelor’s degree program in jazz studies. The university’s Conservatory of Music and Dance at UMKC will be the home of the University of Missouri system’s first degree program in this subject area.
The new program will be under the direction of Bobby Watson, the inaugural William and Mary Grant/Missouri Professor of Jazz at the university. Watson, a Grammy Award nominated saxophonist, is the author of more than 100 recorded jazz compositions and has participated in more than 80 recordings.
Professor Watson stated, “The passage of a nationally accredited bachelor of music degree in jazz studies will invite many high-caliber players to compete for a position to study jazz at the Conservatory.”
