معرفی
Idit Shner serves as the Philip H. Knight Chair and Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at the University of Oregon's School of Music and Dance. She maintains an active dual career as both a classical and jazz saxophonist, performing at prestigious venues including The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Lincoln Center in New York. Her position includes directing the saxophone studio which typically comprises 18-24 students across undergraduate and graduate programs.
Dr. Shner earned her DMA from the University of North Texas, MMus in Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, and BMus from Oklahoma City University. Her educational background reflects her dual expertise in both performance and pedagogy.
Professor Shner's research interests span Music Performance, Winds, Jazz Studies, Classical Saxophone, and Chamber Music. She has commissioned and recorded new music, bridging the gap between scholarly inquiry and artistic practice. Her work demonstrates particular strength in both classical saxophone repertoire (including French music by Messiaen) and contemporary jazz composition. She has collaborated with notable ensembles including Fireworks, Beta Collide, and Third Angle.
Her discography shows consistent scholarly output across both classical and jazz domains. The recordings demonstrate evolution in her artistic voice while maintaining technical excellence across genres. Recent work shows increasing focus on commissioned pieces and cross-genre collaborations, reflecting current trends in contemporary music performance scholarship.
- 2015 Thomas F. Herman Award for Excellence in Pedagogy in areas of saxophone technique and chamber music coaching
- 2016 University of Oregon Faculty Excellence Award
Professor Shner has developed a highly successful saxophone studio where students consistently win major competitions including the UO Concerto Competition (2016, 2015, 2012, 2008) and Downbeat magazine awards. Her former students now teach at Colorado Christian University, Central Washington University, Portland State University, and Willamette University, with over a dozen teaching in Pacific Northwest band programs. She frequently hosts masterclasses by elite performers including Otis Murphy, Kenneth Tse, Prism Saxophone Quartet, Seamus Blake, Rich Perry, and Dick Oatts.
The saxophone studio operates as a vibrant community with weekly masterclasses, performance opportunities through the University of Oregon's extensive ensemble program, and regular visits from world-class artists. Professor Shner's studio has developed into a regional hub for saxophone performance, producing musicians who excel in both classical and jazz contexts.
