Oregon

Oregon Festival of American Music

Program No. 14988RJ
If you love music, join us for toe-tapping concerts, films, lectures and rehearsal access at the Oregon Festival of American Music!

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At a Glance

Since 1992, the Oregon Festival of American Music (OFAM) has been delighting audiences with music performances and educational events dedicated to the traditional music of America. Join a group of fellow Road Scholars in beautiful Eugene, Oregon for spectacular music that focuses on the Great American Songbook. Each season offers a unique festival theme and will be packed with unique concerts, amazing artists, sing-alongs, talks, films and guest lectures that you’re sure to love!
Activity Level
Easy Going
Walking up to four blocks. Shuttles do not have wheelchair lifts.

What You'll Learn

  • Meet guest artists and faculty members at the Shedd Music School who offer insight into performances and a variety of musical topics.
  • Attend multiple evening and matinee concerts highlighting music from the American Traditional Songbook with special emphasis on the festival’s theme.
  • Delight in a sing-along led by a music expert from The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, highlighting the music you will enjoy throughout the week.

General Notes

Program includes A-level seats to multiple festival evening and matinee concerts. Upgrade to AA level available for purchase.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Chuck Redd
Chuck Redd is a professional percussionist capable of wowing any audience with his jaw-dropping solos. He’s an expert on musical stylings, arranging, improvisation and technique, and his friendly demeanor and warm personality make him approachable and easy to ask questions.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Chuck Redd
Chuck Redd View biography
Chuck Redd is a professional percussionist capable of wowing any audience with his jaw-dropping solos. He’s an expert on musical stylings, arranging, improvisation and technique, and his friendly demeanor and warm personality make him approachable and easy to ask questions.
Profile Image of Amy Adams
Amy Adams View biography
Amy is Director and Conductor of the Oregon Festival of American Music Songsters. A graduate of the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, Amy has been involved in music education and Eugene’s performing arts community for over twenty years, including acting as chorus manager for the Eugene Symphony Chorus. She is a freelance accompanist and can usually be found at home covering her favorite jazz and pop tunes, accompanying community choruses, singing Mozart and Bach or preparing children’s choirs to sing with orchestras.
Profile Image of Matt Treder
Matt Treder View biography
Matt Treder’s love affair with the piano began as soon as he could reach the keys. At home in almost any musical milieu, he has played in jazz combos, toured in a country band, co-founded Eugene cult rock band ToneDawg and composed music for video games. He is on faculty at The Shedd Institute and serves as music director at the Spiritual Growth Center of Eugene. He primarily plays be ear and has fun taking different to demonstrate what we mean by “standards-based jazz”.
Profile Image of Ginevra Ralph
Ginevra Ralph View biography
An educator by profession and arts supporter by avocation, Ginevra Ralph helped to found both the Eugene Opera and Eugene Ballet in the 1970s. She is the co-founder of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, the only community music institute in the state of Oregon outside of Portland. A long-time advocate and teacher of students with cognitive and physical disabilities, Ginevra applied this teaching experience as she developed curriculum and instructional principles for The Shedd to include all ages and abilities.
Profile Image of James Ralph
James Ralph View biography
James Ralph co-founded the Oregon Festival of American Music in 1991 and serves as the executive director and principal artistic leader of The Shedd Institute. He developed its innovative, thematically-based festival programming approach, which features multiple artistic directors and cultural projects that incorporate multiple genres of music, literature, history, criticism, fine art, dance, musical theater and film into single festival structures. Jim has a B.S. in anthropology and an M.A. in medieval church history. He loves teaching and providing lifelong learning opportunities to his community.
Profile Image of Howard Schuman
Howard Schuman View biography
Howard Schuman is a senior human resources and institutional development consultant with over 30 years of international project management experience; he has assisted with projects in over 35 countries. Howard is also a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s film committee. He speaks Thai, Indonesian and Malay, and is author of the career development book “Making It Abroad – the International Job Hunting Guide.” Howard makes sure that in addition to bringing his laptop, his subscription to Netflix is up-to-date during all of his travels.
Profile Image of Heidi Turnquist
Heidi Turnquist View biography
Heidi Turnquist is the Shedd Music School Administrator. She participated in the Oregon Festival of American Music as a member of the Young Artist Academy vocal ensemble from 1998-2001. Her college background includes curriculum development as well as musical theatre, musical comedy, improv, and dance. She is active in the local theatre scene, and has performed in musicals, operas, choirs, and more around the Eugene area.
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Year
2024
  • 2024
Date
Aug 05 - Aug 11
  • Jul 30 - Aug 05
  • Aug 05 - Aug 11
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Aug 5 - Aug 11, 2024 Itinerary Differences: This departure is 7 days / 6 nights. Meals: 17 total (6 B, 5 L, 6 D)
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
Aug 05 - Aug 11
  • Jul 30 - Aug 05
  • Aug 05 - Aug 11
Aug 5 - Aug 11, 2024 Itinerary Differences: This departure is 7 days / 6 nights. Meals: 17 total (6 B, 5 L, 6 D)
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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7 days
6 nights
17 meals
6 B 5 L 6 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, Evening Concert
Eugene, OR
D
The Gordon Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: When you check in at the front desk, pick up your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to learn when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Then take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner. At 5:30 p.m., we will begin van shuttle service from the hotel to The Shedd (John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts) for dinner. This Road Scholar program at OFAM includes 4 evening concerts, 3 matinees, the festival film series, public talks, and several expert led presentations. Road Scholar tickets for all concerts are in A-level seating that can be upgraded to AA-level for a small fee. To reserve your seats, you can contact the Shedd Ticket Office directly at 541-434-7000.

Dinner: 6:00 p.m. In the Great Hall at The Shedd, we’ll have plated meals with beverage choices of soda, coffee tea, Oregon water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Orientation: Heidi Turnquist, Director of Education and Ginevra Ralph, Co-Founder of The Shedd Institute and Oregon Festival of American Music, will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.

DAY
2
Faculty-Artist Presentations, Matinee and Evening Concerts
Eugene, OR
B,L,D
The Gordon Hotel

Activity note: Shuttles from the hotel to The Shedd will be available. If you prefer to walk the few blocks, we will give you easy directions. Many stairs in handicapped accessible building, elevator available.

Breakfast: In the Great Hall at The Shedd, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet.

Morning: Attend presentations by Shedd Music School Faculty, UO Faculty, guest artists or other local experts on topics that will set the music you will hear in its cultural and historical context and to expand your understanding of musical styles, technique, composers and lyricists, arranging, and improvisation. This presentation will be followed by a public talk that expands on the festivals themes

Lunch: In the Great Hall at The Shedd, choose what you like from the lunch buffet that includes soda, coffee, tea, Oregon water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: After lunch there will be another expert-led presentation, and you will have the opportunity to sit in on one of the festival concert rehearsals, and attend a public talk expanding on the week's themes

Dinner: Shedd plated meal.

Evening: Evening Concert: The concert is upstairs in the 800-seat Jaqua Concert Hall. This concert sets the mood for the week. Shuttles will be provided to hotels after the concert.

DAY
3
Faculty Presentations, Films, Festival Artists, Concerts
Eugene, OR
B,L,D
The Gordon Hotel

Activity note: Shuttles from the hotel to The Shedd will be available. If you prefer to walk the few blocks, we will give you easy directions. Many stairs in handicapped accessible building, elevator available.

Breakfast: Shedd buffet.

Morning: attend a screening of a film in our festival film series

Lunch: Shedd buffet.

Afternoon: After lunch you can attend the Festival’s community sing-along, led by The Shedd's vocal department head, Amy Adams, to join in singing many of the great Songbook melodies you'll be enjoying all week. After the sing-along, there will be another expert led lecture, and a public talk expanding on the week's themes

Dinner: Shedd plated meal.

Evening: Concert in the Jaqua Hall Shuttles will be provided to hotels after the concert.

DAY
4
Faculty Presentations, Films, Festival Artists, Concerts
Eugene, OR
B,L,D
The Gordon Hotel

Activity note: Shuttles from the hotel to The Shedd will be available. If you prefer to walk the few blocks, we will give you easy directions. Many stairs in handicapped accessible building, elevator available.

Breakfast: Shedd Buffet

Morning: the festival film series will continue.

Lunch: Shedd Buffet

Afternoon: Matinee Concert followed by an expert led presentation and a public talk

Dinner: Shedd Plated Meal

Evening: Concert in the Jaqua Hall Shuttles will be provided to hotels after the concert.

DAY
5
Faculty Presentations, Films, Festival Artists, Concerts
Eugene, OR
B,L,D
The Gordon Hotel

Activity note: Shuttles from the hotel to The Shedd will be available. If you prefer to walk the few blocks, we will give you easy directions. Many stairs in handicapped accessible building, elevator available.

Breakfast: Shedd Buffet

Morning: the film series continues

Lunch: Shedd Buffet

Afternoon: Matinee Concert followed by an expert led lecture and a public talk

Dinner: Shedd plated meal

Evening: Concert in the Jaqua Hall Shuttles will be provided to hotels after the concert.

DAY
6
Morning Lecture, Afternoon lectures and evening concert
Eugene, OR
B,L,D
The Gordon Hotel

Activity note: Shuttles from the hotel to The Shedd will be available. If you prefer to walk the few blocks, we will give you easy directions. Many stairs in handicapped accessible building, elevator available.

Breakfast: Shedd buffet.

Morning: We’ll board a bus for a field trip to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA) on the University of Oregon campus. The JSMA has extensive holdings of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and American art representing past and present world cultures. An educational expert will lead us through current exhibitions and provide insights into the permanent collection. Returning to the hotel after our field trip, the remainder of the morning is free. A favorite Eugene Saturday activity is the weekly Saturday Market, a combination of food, crafts, and farmers' market, 1.5 blocks from The Shedd.

Lunch: Shedd buffet.

Afternoon: Attend a matinee concert followed by some free time to explore the beautiful downtown Eugene and visit the Saturday Market! The afternoon will also feature another expert led presentation

Dinner: Shedd plated meal..

Evening: Concert: 8:00 pm Shuttles will be provided to hotels after the concert.

DAY
7
Program Concludes
Eugene, OR
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Shedd buffet. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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