University of Oregon Day of Improvisation

 This is a FREE day-long workshop meant to serve your most motivated students and inspire them to get to the next level as improvisers.

Our ask of you…

• Fill out the nomination form at jazz.uoregon.edu/doi by September 12th, 2025.

• In the form, you can also let us know if you would like to attend. Even if you have no students participating, you’re welcome to join in on the fun.

What happens next…

• By September 17th, we will notify both you and your students to let them know who was selected.

• As part of their invitation, we will ask students to RSVP and we will send along several required forms. Students must RSVP by October 1st.

• We will also ask participating students to record and submit a short musical example of their playing prior to the DOI. We will use these to place students in ensembles for the day. These recordings should also be submitted by October 1st. These recordings don’t need to be perfect – we’re just trying to get a feel for where the students are at.

Haven’t done this before? Here is what you need to know…

• As their band director, we are asking you to identify and nominate deserving students to attend.

• From your nominations, we will invite approximately 50-60 students to attend each workshop. Because we will be placing students in small groups, there will be a limit to the number of students on each instrument that we can accommodate.

• Did we mention that it’s FREE?! We don’t want cost to keep any student from attending. Students just need to get to and from the school. Lunch will be provided.

• Please join us! As a band director, if you want to hang out for the day, you are most welcome to move in and out of any rehearsal, session, or concert.

What participating students will be doing:

• Arrive at 9:30 am

• Play in small groups

• Study improvisation methods with UO jazz faculty

• Eat pizza while being serenaded by UO jazz faculty and students

• Attend masterclass sessions

• Perform at day’s end (this will be open to the public)

• Leave for home at 6:00 pm

Again this year, we will be hosting two workshops to increase access for students. You can nominate your students for either date (students may only attend one of them). This year’s DOI will take place on the following dates:

• October 10 at West Linn High School

• November 8 at the University of Oregon