Jazz Studies
Degree Programs | Festivals & Guest Artists
Faculty: Tyler Abbott , Michael Denny, Gary Hobbs, Toby Koenigsberg, Don Latarski, Steve Owen, Idit Shner, Steve Stone (Professor Emeritus), Carl Woideck

Jazz Ensembles:
   Jazz Lab Bands
   Jazz Combos
   Oregon Jazz Ensemble

The University of Oregon School of Music and Dance is home to one of the most exciting jazz studies programs in the country. Students studying jazz at Oregon receive the opportunities and instruction vital for a complete education in music—one that enables them to succeed in all facets of the music business. In the jazz area alone, the School of Music and Dance boasts outstanding performing ensembles that include three big bands, vocal jazz ensembles, and ten small jazz combos. Courses include jazz theory, composition/arranging, history, improvisation, repertoire, and pedagogy, all delivered by an outstanding jazz faculty committed to excellence in teaching and performance. Recognized for their excellence, UO jazz ensembles are frequent guests at professional music conferences and jazz festivals.

While ensembles play an important role in the educational process for us, the focal point of the Oregon Jazz Studies Program continues to be our students and their achievements. The environment is one that stimulates, recognizes, and rewards outstanding achievement in performance, composition/arranging, research, and education. Because of this, our students go on to successful careers as freelance musicians, music educators, composers, arrangers, historians, recording engineers, and music business owners.

Although it is possible to be immersed in the jazz environment at the University of Oregon, the level of involvement is up to each individual. While the majority of our students are music majors, all of our jazz ensembles are open to music and non-music majors alike.

Regardless of your major or reason for interest, we invite you to become a part of the School of Music and Dance and see why the Jazz Studies Program at the University of Oregon has quickly emerged as one of the finest on the West Coast.

(back to top)

DEGREE PROGRAMS
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies.
The University of Oregon has recently become one of a select group of schools to offer a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz studies. Once gaining formal admission to the program, jazz studies majors receive a balanced musical education combining courses in traditional music and performance studies with a wide variety of course offerings within the jazz area. After completing basic theory, improvisation, and keyboard requirements, students begin studies in jazz arranging and jazz repertoire, and can choose either a performance or composition/arranging emphasis for their final year of studies. Students gain continual performance experience by enrolling in both small and large jazz ensembles during the majority of their course of study, allowing for the practical application of materials being presented concurrently in the classroom.

JAZZ STUDIES SUPPORTING AREA
A supporting area in jazz studies may be selected by doctoral candidates with a strong jazz background. Doctoral students admitted into this secondary area may choose either a performance or arranging emphasis.

(back to top)

FESTIVALS & GUEST ARTISTS
The Oregon Jazz Celebration
Once a year the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance hosts the Oregon Jazz Celebration, a festival that attracts junior high, high school, and college ensembles from around the Northwest. Unlike other festivals, the Oregon Jazz Celebration is neither a competition nor simply a series of concerts. It is two days and nights of workshops, clinics, and concerts featuring some of the nation's finest jazz educators and internationally renowned jazz artists.

THE CHAMBER JAZZ SERIES
In addition to the artists and clinicians appearing as part of the Oregon Jazz Celebration, the UO School of Music and Dance regularly brings in guest lecturers and artists to share their expertise in jazz. The Chamber Jazz Series offers jazz studies students an intimate forum for exchanging ideas, working with, and composing and arranging for these artists.

(back to top)