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IDIT SHNER
Education
2007 Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance, Jazz Studies as related
field. University of North Texas – Denton, Texas
2001 Master of Music Education Summa Cum Laude
University of Central Oklahoma – Edmond, Oklahoma
1998 Bachelor of Arts in Saxophone Performance Summa Cum Laude
Oklahoma City University – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Creative Activity: Publications
Compact Disc Recordings
2019 Minerva (OC 33024)
Four newly commissioned pieces; three of which are first recordings.
“My favorite classical release of 2019” – Nick May, the Saxophonist Magazine
“the playing is fantastic (as always!). What a great project from beginning to end”
– Taimur Sullivan, Northwestern University
2017 Nine Short Stories (OA2 22147)
Read Downbeat’s four-star review here
Listen to an interview about the CD on KLCC here
Additional reviews: George Harris, Jazz Weekly; Hobart Taylor, KUCI – Irvine, CA; Chris Spector, Midwest Record
2013 Le merle Noir. Origin Classics (OC 33017).
Received good airplay in the USA and Canada; was featured on Israel Herman’s radio show, “On the Wind.”
2009 Fissures: 20th Century Music for Saxophone and Harp. Origin Classics (OC33008). With Yumiko Endo Schlaffer, harp. The CD features pieces for soprano, alto, tenor, bass saxophone and pedal harp. Repertoire by French, Dutch, Spanish, and American composers. Favorably reviewed by Dr. Joren Cain on The Saxophone Symposium. NPR’s “Morning Edition” of April 29 2010 played two tracks from the CD: Second movement from Jean-Louis Petit’s Sonatine and Benimeli’s Capricho Mediterraneo.
2008 Tuesday’s Blues. Origin’s OA2 label. (OA2 22046).
Album received great reviews on Jazz Times, Jazz Review, and All music Guide.
Received and still receiving airplay on over 41 radio stations around the world.
Book
2009 Music for Saxophone and Harp. ISBN 978-3-8383-2001-4 VDM
Verlagsservicegesellschaft mbH / LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
Creative Activity: Performances (selected list)
– Classical, recent* –
2020 • Magenta by Evan C Paul, world premiere at North American Saxophone Alliance National Conference in Tempe, AZ
- Performed Joel Love’s Solace Concerto with Oregon Wind Ensemble, Dennis Linas, conducting
- Performed Pictures at an Exhibition with the Oregon Symphony
2019 • Performed Romeo and Juliet with Orchestra Next
- Performed with David Riley, faculty showcase
2018 • Recitals at Virginia Tech, University of North Carolina Greensboro, University of Oregon
- Performed and recorded Quicksilver by Stacy Garrop
2017 • Recital of all new commissioned works presented at University of Indiana, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Linfield College
2016 • Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Band by William Bolcom. With Rodney Dorsey, conductor. 3 performances: in Beall hall, Ashland HS, and at CBDNA in Reno, NV
- Minerva by Evan C Paul, world premiere at North American Saxophone Alliance National Conference in Lubbock, TX
- Appeared on 2 Faculty recitals in Beall hall, in January and May.
2015 • Numerous performances with the Eugene Symphony: Harbison, Gershwin, Prokofiev, Bernstein, Williams.
- Performances with the Eugene Ballet
2014 • Performed a saxophone and harp program in eight different venues in California, Oregon, Washington
- Played with the Eugene Symphony and Orchestra NEXT, played Creation du Monde with Oregon Bach Festival in Eugene and Portland
- Played with the Oregon Wind Sextet in Eugene and Portland
- Gave solo recitals in three leading Iowa universities
- Performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance convention in Urbana, IL
2013 • Performed on three different programs with the Eugene Symphony
- Played and taught a class at Manhattan School of Music, NYC
2012 • Performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance convention in Arizona
- Toured with the Oregon Faculty Wind Quintet in the Seattle area, WA
2011 • Performed the world Premiere of Jean-Louise Petit’s Concerto pour
saxophones with the Oregon Wind Ensemble
- Recorded Guy Lacour’s Divertissemnet with the Oregon Percussion
Ensemble (first studio recording of the piece)
- Performed Judith Cloud’s Concerto for Soprano saxophone and
Orchestra with the Flagstaff Symphony, Flagstaff, AZ
- Performed a solo recital at the Oregon Bach Festival. This was the first
time a saxophonist was invited to play at the festival.
- Performed a saxophone and harp recital at the Crane School of Music,
SUNY Potsdam, NY
2010 • Performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance biennial convention in Athens, GA
- Founded the Infinity Saxophone Quartet which toured the Pacific Northwest
2009 • Performed a concert of contemporary Music for Two Saxophones in Tel-Aviv
and Ramat Hasharon, Israel. With saxophone virtuoso Gan Lev
- Guest Artist for Oklahoma State University’s Wind Day. Three public recitals,
master classes, large ensemble coaching (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
- Performed John Mackey’s Concerto for Soprano Saxophone with the University
of Idaho wind ensemble
2008 • Performed John Mackey’s Concerto for Soprano Saxophone with the Oregon Wind Ensemble
- Performed classical recital in Fayetteville, North Carolina and at the North
American Saxophone Alliance Convention in Columbia, South Carolina; with pianist Scott Marosek
- Performed classical recital in University of Oregon; with pianist David Riley
2007 • Performed Edison Denisov’s Concerto Piccolo at the Northwest Percussion
Festival (Boise, Idaho), North American Saxophone Alliance Region I Meeting (Pulman, Washington), and at University of Oregon
- Performed Ida Gotkovsky’s Variations Pathetiques at the North American Saxophone Alliance Region I Meeting (Pulman, Washington), and at University of Oregon
- Played clarinet on SoundBytes (new music series), the music of Raymond Scott
- Played with the Oregon Symphony (Portland, Oregon)
– Jazz, recent* –
2020 • Recorded a live video feature for The Saxophonist Magazine
- Hult Happy Hour (livestream)
- Ratie D Black Freedom Concert (livestream)
- 6 swing shows and 3 Jazz Station shows (up to quarantine)
- PDX Jazz Festival, with pianist Bryn Roberts
- Jazz soloist with Eugene Symphony, Leslie Odom concert
2019 • Café Racer Sessions (Seattle, Washington)
- Featured artist with Central Washington big band, NASA region I evening concert
- Performed on bass clarinet with the Alan Ferber Nonet, Oregon Jazz Festival
2018 • Featured artist with the CCM big band, NASA evening jazz concert
- Performed Eric Dolphy’s Far Cry album he the Jazz Record Art Collective, Chicago
2017 • Featured artist with the East Hubbard Jazz Orchestra in Chicago
- Recorded a jazz album of all original compositions
2016 • Played seven different shows at the Jazz Station (as a leader); played 18 concerts as a side person
2015 • Played alto with the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies at Stamford Jazz Festival and Club Mexicali (New Jersey)
- Played clarinet and bass clarinet for Todd Sickafoose’s band, Jazz Station
- Led a “Tribute to Bird” night at the Jazz Station
- Played lead alto for Jessie Smith’s Big Band album; CD release tour in Eugene, Portland, and Spokane
2014 • Performed live on KLCC
- Played two concert series with the Emerald City Jazz Kings
- Played on two Carl Woideck productions: “1959” and a Duke Ellington Concert
- Performed numerous times with the Shner Quartet
2013 • Performed at regional NASA with Seamus Blake
- Extensive clarinet solo work on a Benny Goodman tribute show
- Shner jazz quartet played at NAfME in Portland, OR
2012 • Northwest tour with Jangeun Bae. Radio broadcast on KMHD.fm Portland, OR
2011 • Concerts in Jaffa and Jerusalem, Israel with Gittit Boazson’s quartet
2010 • Asia Jazz Tour with Jangun Bae. Nine concerts in Korea and Japan
2008 • Idit Shner Quartet with Toby Koenigsberg (piano), Sam Howard (bass), and
Jason Palmer (drums). Frequent jazz shows (Portland, Oregon), radio broadcast
on KMHD 91.9fm
- Featured soloist at The Music of Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, a jazz
heritage project (Eugene, Oregon)
- Featured soloist at Happy Birthday, Duke! A jazz tribute concert to Duke
Ellington (Eugene, Oregon)
- Featured soloist at a Tribute to Charles Mingus, a jazz concert at the Shedd
Institute for the Arts (Eugene, Oregon)
2007 • Played a jazz concert of music from the Jewish liturgy arranged for a jazz
quartet at University of Oregon
- Played with a jazz quartet on SoundBytes, a concert series of new music curated by Brian McWhorter
- Played lead in a SuperSax-style group (solos by Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Phil
Woods, arranged for 5 saxophones and rhythm section).
- Jazz concert with Ron Miles at the University of Oregon
Recordings (as a side person)
2019 There Is Another World, Peter Mulvey, Righteous Babe Records (clarinet and bass clarinet)
2015 “Tricks of Light”, Jessika Smith. PJCE records (alto, flute)
2014 Thick Line by Alex Temple, “New Millennium Music for Horn” Quadre Records, Inc. (tenor saxophone)
2013 “Let It Show”, Sean Peterson Ess-tet (alto saxophone)
2006 Pushing Buttons by Andrew Walters, “Music from SEAMUS, vol. 16” (alto)
2005 Two o’clock Lab Band recording (lead alto)
2004 UNT Wind Symphony – Allegories (alto and baritone)
2003 Three O’clock Lab Band – live (lead alto)
2001 Alvaro’s Brazilian Jazz – Simplicity of Approach (flute)
2000 University of Central Oklahoma – Jazz Band (tenor) Searls and Allen – Time & Again (soprano and alto)
1999 Jockimo – Live at Dooley’s, Swing Lo with Jockimo (tenor and alto)
Pieces Premiered
2020 Magenta / Evan C. Paul
2018 Quicksilver / Stacy Garrop (also first recording of saxophone and piano version)
2017 Another Sleepless Night / Tony Glausi
Saturation / Andrea Reinkemeyer
Na’ama / Ziv Slama
2016 Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Band / William Bolcom
Minerva for alto saxophone and Piano / Evan C. Paul
2015 Sextet / Miklòs Maròs
2014 Behemoth for baritone saxophone and percussion / Roshanne Etezady
2013 Prelude and Fugue / Justin Morell
2011 Concerto pour saxophones / Jean-Louis Petit
2009 Pieces premiered during the Oregon Bach Festival’s Composers Symposium: Synthesis, Explained / Huckins • Quartet for a Stormy Night / Griffin • Growl, Spit, Shriek, and Pout / Collons • Troublesome / Zaccagnini • An Enchantment /Tinsley • Traffic-City / Dorsey • Gifts Ungiven / Kirschner • Night Blooming /Meites • Trio / Klein • Ponies to Nowhere / Bayer • Trio * 3.3 /X / Morell • Four Miniatures / Bogdan
2007 McKenzie Fanfare / Terry McQuillkin
2006 Pushing Buttons / Andrew Walters (also first recording)
2004 News Broadcast / Germaine Stegall • Yellowstone Blush / Lynn Job (also first recording) • Reflection No. 1 / Alejandro Florez
2003 Things such Dreams are Made On / Joshua Bradford
Teaching Experience
2019-present Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies
University of Oregon, School of Music and Dance
Saxophone Studio class size is about 20 students. Additional duties: Teach saxophone techniques and jazz techniques class to music education majors. Teach saxophone pedagogy and literature class. Teach graduate level jazz improvisation to pianists, bassists, guitarists. Coach saxophone quartets, saxophone ensemble and saxophone sectionals, advise graduate and undergraduate students, and recruit.
2013-2019 Associate Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies
University of Oregon, School of Music and Dance
Same duties as above
2008-2013 Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies
University of Oregon, School of Music and Dance
Same duties as above
2005-2008 Instructor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies, University of Oregon
Same duties as above.
2005 Teaching Fellow, University of North Texas.
Four O’clock Lab Band Director: Initiated, programmed and promoted concerts, Organized a recording session. Saxophone studio teacher for both Jazz Studies and Classical Performance majors.
2004 Teaching Fellow, University of North Texas
Nine O’clock Lab Band Director
2002 – 2003 Saxophone Studios (Private Instruction) in Celina and Trophy Club, Texas
2000 – 2001 Graduate Assistant, University of Central Oklahoma
Jazz Ensemble III Assistant director, Wind Ensemble assistant
Clinics and Master Classes Presented 2008-2020 (selected list)
Seattle Saxophone Institute (Washington) • IMEA Jazz Festival (Idaho) • Virginia Tech (Virginia) • University of North Carolina Greensboro (North Carolina) • Indiana University (Indiana) • Michigan State University (Michigan) • Saxophone Institute (Israel) • North American saxophone Alliance region I conference (Washington) • North American Saxophone Alliance National Conference (Texas) • OMEA (Oregon) • Tel-Aviv Conservatory (Israel) • Jerusalem Conservatory (Israel) • Zichron Ya’akov (Israel) • Seattle Saxophone Institute (Washington) • Hunyung University (Korea) • Seoul Arts Institute (Korea) • SUNY Potsdam (New York) • Northern Arizona University (Arizona) • Luther College (Iowa) • University of Northern Iowa (Iowa) • Columbia College (Chicago) • Frank Mantooth Jazz Festival (Illinois) • Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma)) • University of Puget Sound (Washington) • Pacific Lutheran University (Washington) • San Jose State University (California) • University of the Pacific (California) • Irish Jazz Festival (Oregon) • Coos Bay College (Oregon) • Gonzaga University (Washington) • Reno Jazz Festival (Nevada) • North American saxophone Alliance region I conference (Idaho)
Honors and Awards (only recent awards)
2020 Philip H. Knight Endowed Professor. A university-wide award of 25,000 for six years.
2018 University of Oregon Summer Research Award. A university-wide award for 5,500; will be used to record new repertoire for saxophone in July 2018.
2016 University of Oregon Faculty Excellence Award. A University-wide award for retention and continuing research. $25,000 in research funds.
2015 Thomas F. Herman Award for Excellence in Pedagogy. A university-wide award “in recognition of achievement and expertise in the areas of studio teaching of saxophone technique and coaching of chamber music ensembles”
Oregon Center for Humanities Summer Award, $5,000.
2009 Selmer performing artist/clinician
2006 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award, for College Big Band Outstanding performance, with the Two o’clock Lab Band
Professional Affiliations
NASA North American Saxophone Alliance, Region I director
NAfME National Association for Music Education, member
OMEA Oregon Music Educators Association, member, presenter
2020 Events Cancelled due to Coronavirus
Jazz Show for PJCE records at the 1905, Portland, Oregon
Montavilla Jazz Festival, Portland, Oregon
Asia Pacific Saxophone Academy, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
Bolero with Eugene Symphony
Guest artist, Women in Jazz Symposium, Central Washington University
Numerous local dates at Cornbread Café and Jazz Station