Many of us spend our life listening to music, whether aware or unaware. Music surrounds us, fills the airwaves and influences us in so many ways. Some of us have listened attentively to jazz, while others have heard it as background music in perhaps a restaurant or on the radio. What is jazz? Where does jazz come from? Why does it sound the way it does? How has jazz evolved over the years?

This class provides an overall understanding of jazz, its history, and evolution. While this class will not help you become a jazz musician or even write jazz, it will allow you to become familiar with great jazz artists and innovators and give you the background to truly appreciate it when you hear it.

Come discover how this improvisational music born out of an African-American musical heritage has influenced not only America’s musical world, but has given the world a unique form of musical expression.

Course Materials

To be purchased at the College Bookstore: OnMusic Jazz Second Edition

Getting Started

Buying and Registering Access Code:

• Using your VCCS student email account, purchase your course materials from the New River Bookstore.
• After buying your material, you will receive PIN number on the Web Order and confirmation email from Kortext.
• The instructions will include where to login on Kortext.
• Once logged in, you will be able to redeem your PIN number for a specific code to login within Canvas.
• Go to the Connect 4 Education Module in Canvas, and type in the publisher’s access code to unlock the course content.
• From this point forward, access the course through the Connect 4 Education link in Canvas.

Advice:

• Buy your course materials before the first day of class.
• On the first day of the semester the course will open in Canvas so you can register your access code.
• Acquaint yourself with the Course Information section under Modules before starting the class.
• Follow the course schedule to stay on target with deadlines.
• Check course announcements in CANVAS and your CANVAS inbox regularly to access communications from your instructor.
• Contact your instructor with any questions or concerns. Professor Billaud responds quickly and eagerly looks forward to helping you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: What is the purpose of this course?
  A: Increase knowledge of the world of jazz by examining its history, the socio-cultural context of its development, key artists and performances.
• Q: Is this course transferable?
  A: This course meets the general education requirement at many universities. Music courses and the transferability chart (TVA Transfer Table) are available in the Transfer Virginia folder. Please check the university you plan to transfer to in order to ensure its transferability.
• Q: Why take these courses at New River?
  A: New River Community College has been a leader in online learning courses. This instructor is passionate and knowledgeable about music and desired to instill that same passion and knowledge to her students through the interactive forum of online education.
• Q: Who is this class designed for?
  A: This class is designed for the student who feels comfortable working online and who needs the convenience of taking a course outside of the normal lecture time due to work related, family or physical restraints.
• Q: Is this course entirely online? Can I be somewhere else and still take this course?
  A: Yes, it is entirely online and can “attended” from anywhere!