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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Participant Reviews
Based on 26 Reviews
SHOWING
Do not take this trip with Road Scholar.
There was no Road Scholar group leader on this trip. All the scheduling, meals, hotels, and arrangements were made by The Shedd Institute.
Road Scholars were required to eat every meal at the Shedd Institute which was not actually a restaurant. It's part of the performance venue that has a kitchen and does some meal preparation for special occasions.
There were only two dinner choices, one vegetarian choice and one non-vegetarian. You do not get to order from a menu like you do at regular restaurants normally used on Road Scholar trips.
Lunches were minimalist with one choice only, e.g. make-it-yourself lunchmeat sandwiches one day, a tray of meatless enchiladas another day. There was fruit and a bowl of hard-boiled eggs available on another table. Dessert was usually cookies. These lunches are described as a "buffet" in the itinerary.
The itinerary promised six concerts, but there were only five.
The itinerary promised 13 lectures, but there were only 10.
Road Scholars were split among three hotels.
The itinerary states there was a maximum of four blocks to walk from hotel to venue. However, one hotel (the Hayward Inn) was actually 1.5 miles from the venue.
Please note that many of the events on the Road Scholar schedule - except the concerts - are open and free to the General Public.
There were no breaks or intermissions during four of the five concerts. Four of the concerts lasted from 1.5 -2 full hours. The last concert was 3.5 hours, but did have two breaks built into it.
Signs are posted on the back doors of the concert venue that you cannot exit while the concert is ongoing unless it's an emergency.
The Sheffer Recital Hall where lectures and movies were held was cold during this trip. Most of the Road Scholars wore coats inside.
I cannot recommend this Road Scholar tour.
This tour should be put back into Road Scholar hands versus being planned and executed by The Shedd Institute.
— Review left January 30, 2025
A delightful study of “Tin Pan Alley” composers. Information on how an American classic is transformed into a jazz arrangement.
— Review left January 28, 2025
Passionate about music, thrill to see new talent as well as experienced talent performing applicable material.
— Review left January 27, 2025
Nowhere else will we find more interesting information about the famous and still-popular composers and lyricists of the Tin Pan Alley era! The music and the lyrics provide such meaningful and wonderful context to all the films they are a part of.
— Review left August 12, 2024
A wonderful program. Check that the hotel you choose accommodates your ability to walk to the venue. Shuttles to/from hotels do not run all day and are not on a regular, published schedule.
— Review left August 6, 2024
This was a fantastic trip. The people at the Shedd Institute were so welcoming and knowledgeable. I learned a lot from the lectures, and the concerts were great. Sign me up for next year!
— Review left August 6, 2024
My husband and I love this Road Scholar program at the Oregon Festival of American Music, and we've attended three times now. In Winter 2024 we took my 96-year-old mother with us and she thought it was wonderful. It is not a glitzy, large operation, instead it's a long-running program by a Eugene non-profit that does outstanding music education and produces high-quality musical events. The food was excellent, the hosts are very friendly and down-to-earth, and the music was fantastic. Highly recommended.
— Review left March 18, 2024
This program was outstanding. As my first time with Road Scholar, I wasn't really sure what to expect, but they exceeded my expectations. I am mobility-limited and a solo traveler, but they made access easy. (The Shedd, program provider)reached out to all of us and did everything possible to ensure our satisfaction. The quality of the programming could not have been better. I highly recommend this program and Road Scholar without reservation. In fact, I have already booked three more trips, including the next season of the American Music Festival.
— Review left February 11, 2024
A+ in hospitality, comfort, incredible music performances, and FOOD! I felt such warmth from the leadership and every one of the staff from the van drivers to the administrators! My heart and spirit was touched by the music! WOW! Such beauty! Such energy.
I hope to return to the Shedd Institute one day! THANK YOU!
Mary Lou Whitcomb
— Review left January 31, 2024
The music festival is wonderful. The conductor has a great sense of humour and Eugene is a very friendly city. Some of the accommodation is very close to the building where the theatre is and where the food (very good) is served.
— Review left August 23, 2023
This was a wonderful program. The people at the Shedd Institute were very knowledgeable and welcoming, and the music was fantastic!
— Review left August 15, 2023
The music programs at the Shedd in Eugene are excellent and provide a rich contribution to the culture in Eugene. We felt privileged to participate in the events.
— Review left August 14, 2023
This program is a great value, the concerts are utterly terrific, and the group leaders are very focused on making the program accessible for those with hearing or movement issues. That said, if you can walk, Eugene is charming and walkable. Stay an extra day and explore museums, parks, and shopping.
— Review left August 9, 2023
An excellent program five stars all around
— Review left January 24, 2023
This program takes participants on a journey through a specific period of time in America's musical history. Concerts, talks, films and classes, as well as a sing-along, provide many opportunities to learn and experience various aspects of this period of time.
— Review left August 11, 2022
OFAM is unique. The musicians are world class and the concerts are amazing. We had 8 concerts with music from Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, and many more. Also hour long sessions with Chuck Redd, (the band director and outstanding vibraphonist and drummer ) and the Anderson brothers , Peter and Will (terrific on sax and clarinet) were educational and enjoyable. Also an hour discussion with the vocalists. This years theme was the 30’s. Next year the focus will be the 40’s. If you like jazz or swing or the great American song book or music in that era you should definitely consider going to OFAM.
the staff at theShedd and Jim and Ginevra Ralph go out of their way to help you and make your trip memorable- including excellent meals.
— Review left August 8, 2022
Be careful entering The Shedd, especially if you have mobility problems (walker, cane, wheelchair). There is no safety/emergency exit plan. Lots of narrow hallways and stairways. Confusing elevator stops.
— Review left August 5, 2022
If you are into American popular music, this is the program for you.
— Review left August 4, 2022
OFAM presents unique programs that open up new vistas for understanding American jazz and popular music, especially the Great American Songbook. There is always a historical theme, but what matters are the brilliant, accessible, joyful musicians. Unforgettable.
— Review left August 2, 2022
Jazz & swing music performed by some of the best musicians & singers in the country. This is a real toe-tapping experience! The music changes slightly from year to year but it’s all based on “The American Songbook” classics from stage, film & bandstand. If you like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, etc. you will love this program.
— Review left August 1, 2022
A thoroughly enjoyable program, well designed and executed.
— Review left August 1, 2022
The content of this program was very interesting and informative. I loved the entertaining concerts!
— Review left March 14, 2022
Rich and rewarding program of superbly organized and presented lectures, films, and concerts that more than met expectations.
— Review left March 10, 2022
We attended this fun and outstanding program and hope to attend again in 2020. We stayed at Inn at Fifth, just four star accommodations. The Shedd, the program sponsor, provided excellent meals, programs and a free shuttle service (no tipping allowed). It was a short walk from the motel to The Shedd. We have opportunities to meet with some well know jazz musicians and talk with them. The free day we went to the large Farmers' Market nearby. A well done program.
— Review left January 19, 2020
I recently returned from a Road Scholar trip to Eugene OR for a music festival celebrating jazz, swing and the American songbook. The best part for me was hearing talks by, and asking questions of musicians at the top of their games and then hearing them in concerts. Wow. One of the pianists mentioned in passing that he is a professor at Juilliard. That is impressive.
It was an older Road Scholar group, which I expected because of the type of music. A few folks said that they have a son about my age, oh my goodness. Nice, bright and interesting (for the most part) people in the group. I hope to have their facilities when I, hopefully (!), turn 90 or so.
Fred
— Review left August 6, 2019
If you love all forms of American popular music, then this is the course for you.
— Review left July 30, 2019
