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About Our Program

The University of Oregon is home to one of the most exciting new jazz studies programs in the country.   Students studying jazz at Oregon receive the opportunities and instruction vital for a complete education in music and for success in all facets of the music business.   In the jazz area alone, the School of Music boasts outstanding performing ensembles that include three big bands and eight jazz combos.   Our comprehensive curriculum in jazz includes courses in jazz theory, performance practice (labs I-VI), jazz improvisation (I & II), functional jazz piano (I & II), beginning to advanced repertoire study (I - VI), beginning to advanced jazz arranging/composition (I-VI), jazz history, pedagogy, and program planning/development as well as studio instruction .

While U.O. jazz faculty and ensembles have garnered numerous honors and awards, the focal point of the Oregon Jazz Studies program continues to be our students and their achievements.   Our goal is to create an environment for learning that stimulates, recognizes, and rewards creativity and outstanding achievement in performance, composition, arranging, research, and education.    To this end, we are committed to providing our students with the most thorough education available in jazz and opportunities for personal growth and successes in the field that are second to none.

Although the majority of our students are music majors, all of our jazz ensembles and most of our jazz courses are open to music majors and non-majors alike.   Regardless of your reason for interest, we invite you to become a part of the School of Music and see why our Jazz Studies Program has emerged as one of the finest in the nation.

Recent Student Honors/Awards

The Oregon Jazz Ensemble
2008 Downbeat Magazine Award "College Outstanding Performance"
2005 International Association of Jazz Educator's Convention, Long Beach, CA
2009, 2008, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 Outstanding College Jazz Ensemble, Reno International Jazz Festival
2003, 1997 Northwest Music Educator's National Conference, Portland, OR
2009, 2008, 2002, 1998 Oregon Music Educator's Association Conference, Eugene, OR
2002 Western International Band Conference, Seattle, WA               

The U.O. Jazz Quintet
2001 Outstanding College Combo, Reno International Jazz Festival
1999 Outstanding College Combo, Reno International Jazz Festival

Josh Deutsch
2008 Downbeat Magazine Award College Winner, "Best Jazz Trumpet Soloist "
2009, 2008 Outstanding College Trumpet, Reno Jazz Festival

Merlin Showalter
2009 Outstanding College Drummer, Reno Jazz Festival

David Swigart
2008 Downbeat Magazine Award College Winner, "Best Jazz Arrangment"

Paul Owen
2008 Outstanding College Drummer, Reno Jazz Festival

Bill Marsh
2008 Outstanding College Guitarist, Reno Jazz Festival

Doug Detrick
2007 Downbeat Magazine Award College Winner, "Best Jazz Arrangment"

Tim Leopold
2006 Outstanding College Trumpet, Reno International Jazz Festival

Jason Palmer
2004 Outstanding College Musician, Reno International Jazz Festival

Matt Moresi
2003 Outstanding College Musician, Reno International Jazz Festival

Devin Sanders
2002 Downbeat Magazine Award College Winner in Jazz Arranging

Todd DelGuidice
2002 Outstanding College Musician, Reno International Jazz Festival

Greg Goebel
2002 Downbeat Magazine Award College Winner in Jazz Composition
2002 Outstanding College Pianist, Reno International Jazz Festival
2001 Outstanding College Musician, Reno International Jazz Festival
2000 Outstanding College Musician, Reno International Jazz Festival

Andrea Niemiec
2001 Outstanding College Bassist, Reno International Jazz Festival

Randy Rollofson
2001 Outstanding College Drummer, Reno International Jazz Festival

Eric Warren
1999 Outstanding College Rhythm Section Performer, Reno International Jazz Festival