Instrumental weekend intensive programs hone instrumental techniques, foster community

Intro

Throughout the Fall 2025 semester, faculty, students, community members, and guest artists have come to the University of Illinois School of Music for intensive one-day programs honing musicianship at Low Brass Day, Double Reed Day, and Illinois Harp Jam.

Low Brass Day 2025

On Sept. 14, 2025, the Illinois Trombone Studio and the Illinois Tuba and Euphonium Studio, run by trombone professor Jon Whitaker and tuba professor Scott Tegge, hosted the inaugural University of Illinois School of Music Low Brass Day. The one-day intensive seminar for low brass musicians featured an incredible masterclass by members of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. The day also included warm-up sessions, low brass choir rehearsals, all-state etude coachings, and a final performence. The event also featured exhibits from Griego Mouthpieces, Edwards Instrument Co., Getzen, and The Music Shoppe. Around 100 tubists and trombonists showed up, including around 50 guests from outside the university.

Double Reed Day 2025

The University of Illinois Oboe and Bassoon studios welcomed over 80 double reed students, professionals, and amateurs to campus for our 2025 Double Reed Day on September 28th. The event featured performances and masterclasses with University of Illinois faculty John Dee and Ben Roidl-Ward along with distinguished guest artists Ben Kamins (Professor of Bassoon, Rice University), and Roger Roe (English Horn, Indianapolis Symphony). The day culminated with a 60-person double reed ensemble premiering Impressions of Moravia, a new work composed specially for the event by University of Illinois doctoral composition student Athena Carson. Double Reed Day also featured four vendors: The Music Shoppe, Nielsen Bocal Supply, Oboe Chicago, and Midwest Musical Imports, and was supported through generous sponsorship by The Music Shoppe, Fox Products, Jones Reeds, Midwest Musical Imports, and Oboe Chicago.

Illinois Harp Jam 2025

The inaugural Illinois Harp Jam for all ages and levels was an inspiring event, gathering grade schoolers to retirees together to cultivate their creative artistry and premiere two commissioned works about oceans for harp ensemble by Julia Kay Jamieson, sponsored by the Beverly Myrow Memorial Fund. Each participant performed an improvisation on-the-spot in the final concert event, which opened with a rendition of Las Chiapanecas from the Myrow collection, directed by Ann Yeung, and included individual solo performances. Around a dozen harpists showed up, with 11 performers and 2 conductors filling the stage of the Music Building Auditorium. The one-day event on October 4, 2025 featured workshops and harp ensemble rehearsals alongside the concert and premiere.

The two world premieres by Julia Kay Jamieson, Coral Reef and Beach Break, were commissioned for the Illinois Harp Jam and including improvised solos by all. The Illinois Harp Jam also honored tradition with Beverly Myrow’s arrangement of Las Chiapanecas, connecting past, present, and future through sound. Activities included workshops with Ann Yeung and Julia Kay Jamieson on inspiring your own style and voice to music “off the page” with ideas you can use on your own or with friends.