Since 1985, renowned jazz musicians have been teaching saxophone, trumpet, guitar, jazz piano, bass and drum set in the jazz department of the Ludwig van Beethoven Music School. Among the students in the jazz, rock and pop department are numerous winners of the "Jugend jazzt (opens in a new tab)" competition. Many former pupils of the music school have studied and are studying in jazz courses at German and international music academies. Current winners of the prestigious "WDR Jazz Prize (opens in a new tab)" are also among the alumni of the Bonn music school.

Today, the former jazz department is developing into a department that increasingly teaches current developments in rock, pop, Latin, fusion, etc. in addition to jazz. In addition, the skills of playing together in combos and bands are taught. The subjects of jazz harmony, improvisation and ear training are also part of the department's spectrum.

Just a few decades ago, so-called "serious" serious music seemed to be strictly separated from light music. Today, the boundaries are blurred: many jazz musicians also teach classical music, while classically trained teachers incorporate elements of pop, rock, swing and fusion into their lessons and teach improvisation techniques.