Learn the art of playing in small jazz ensembles

July 14-18, 2025

Eugene, Oregon


About the Oregon

Jazz Workshop

The Oregon Jazz Workshop is for instrumentalists who want to play in small jazz ensembles. Portland and Eugene-based professional jazz musicians will coach and provide instruction during this week-long learning experience. Through musical training, the Oregon Jazz Workshop promotes community-wide resilience.

Who can attend the Oregon Jazz Workshop?

The Oregon Jazz Workshop is open to all woodwind, brass, piano, guitar, bass (upright or electric), and drum set players, ages 11 through adult: we welcome middle school, high school, and college students, as well as adult players.

A recorded audition is required for admittance, as well as submission of the OJW application form (with parental permission, if under 18). This audition will determine ensemble placement.

Drum set players must be able to provide their own equipment, and bassists and guitarists must be able to provide their own amps. Vibraphonists must be able to provide their own instruments.

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all participants, no later than August 1st (medical exemptions considered).

What does the Oregon Jazz Workshop offer?

The core of the Oregon Jazz Workshop experience is participation in small jazz ensembles, coached by some of the region’s finest professional players and educators.

In addition, the workshop will include:
Theory/ear training/guided listening
Master classes

Daily faculty performances

A small ensemble final concert

The Oregon Jazz Workshop will be held at Lane Community College Performing Arts Building (Building 6) at 4000 E. 30th Ave.

Schedule

MONDAY: 7/14

9-9:30 Orientation
9:30-11 Small Jazz Ensemble rehearsals
11-12 Master Class

12-1 Lunch
1-2 Sectional
2-3 Jam session/theory
3-4 Small Jazz Ensemble rehearsals
4:00-5:00 Faculty Jazz Combo Performance

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY: 7/15, 7/16 & 7/17

9-10:30 Small Jazz Ensemble rehearsals
10:30-11:30 Master Class
11:30-12:30 Lunch
12:30-1:30 Sectionals
1:30-2:30 Jam session/theory
2:30-4:00 Small Jazz Ensemble rehearsals
4:00-5:00 Faculty Jazz Combo Performance

FRIDAY: 7/18

9-10 *Optional* Jam Session

10:00-11:30 Small Jazz Ensemble rehearsals
11:30-12:30 Lunch
12:30-1:30 Sectionals
1:30-3 Panel Discussion
3-4:30 Small Jazz Ensemble rehearsals

4:30-5:30 Break; meal for workshop participants, provided by OJW

5:30 Final Concert

Application and audition

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The final application deadline is July 7th. Applicants will be notified of their status within one week of submission.

1) Click on the “apply now” button to submit your application form.
2) Submit your recorded audition materials. (Scroll down to “Audition Requirements” for details.) To submit your audition, upload the file(s) to Google Drive with your name in the file. Once you’ve uploaded it, share the file with “oregonjazzworkshop@gmail.com”. 

Audition Requirements

All applicants must submit a recorded audition to be accepted into the Oregon Jazz Workshop and placed into small groups. These are meant to be stress-free. We look forward to hearing you! 

For ease, we recommend making your recording with a smartphone, set in vertical format.

The required audition material is a concert F Blues. If you don’t know an F Blues melody, find the image of “Take the Coltrane” in the correct key for your instrument at the bottom of this section.

Horn players: First state a melody 2 times, then solo over the form for at least 2 choruses. Use this backing track to play along with:

Comping Instruments (Piano/Guitar/Vibraphone): State the melody to an F Blues 2 times, then comp 2 choruses. After this, solo for at least 2 choruses. Use this backing track to play along with:

Bass players: Walk two choruses over an F Blues. Soloing after walking is optional. Use this backing track to play along with:

Drummers: Play time over an F Blues. Optional to send in any additional material with different grooves.

In addition to the F Blues, you may also submit any other supplemental material you’d like (transcription, recording from a past performance, etc.) This is optional. 

To submit your audition, upload the file(s) to Google Drive with your name in the file. Once you’ve uploaded it, share the file with “oregonjazzworkshop@gmail.com”. 

Auditions are due by July 15th. Applicants will be notified of their status within two weeks of submitting their audition.

If you don’t know an F Blues melody, learn and record ‘Take the Coltrane’. Select your key from the images listed below. Click and drag the image to your desktop.

Faculty

The 2025 Oregon Jazz Workshop’s core faculty are listed below.

Master class clinicians, sectional coaches, and additional core faculty will be added as enrollment allows.

Please check back for updates for the 2025 workshop.

Tuition and payment policies

Tuition

Tuition: $425

No housing is provided; the workshop is a day camp experience. OJW will not provide lunches.

Payment Deadlines
Application fee is due in conjunction with submission of application and audition materials.

July 14, 2024: tuition payment due in full

Refund Policy
The $25 application fee is non-refundable.

Other refunds of any amount will be made at the discretion of the Director.

Please note that OJW must meet minimum enrollment or it is subject to cancellation with full refunds.

If we are forced to cancel due to COVID-19, forest fires, or any other emergency, we will issue complete refunds (including the $25 application fee).

Feel free to contact us with any questions: oregonjazzworkshop@gmail.com.

Photo/video/media release

Participants in the Oregon Jazz Workshop agree to the program’s unlimited use of their image in photos, videos and other media. Participants wishing to be exempted from this agreement must notify OJW in writing prior to start of camp.

Participant Code of Conduct

Participants in the Oregon Jazz Workshop agree to abide by the following rules/code of conduct:

• I will communicate with respect with fellow participants, OJW faculty, and OJW staff.

• I will work to create a supportive learning and performance atmosphere, take musical risks, and graciously accept feedback.

• I will not use alcohol or recreational drugs of any kind.

For safety and COVID-19 reasons:

• I will arrive at camp check-in with all needed equipment, food, and supplies, and remain on site for the duration of camp hours (no off-campus lunch or breaks).

• I acknowledge that OJW reserves the right to exclude me from continued program participation if this code of conduct is not followed.

Sponsored by:

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Zack P. Mittge at Hutchinson Cox Law