The Western Oregon Jazz Orchestra is WOU’s large jazz ensemble. This group performs the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, and Bob Brookmeyer, as well as original music by WOU students and faculty. Previous guest artists and clinicians include Scott Wendholt, Adam Larson, Greta Matassa, Allen Toussaint, Cuong Vu, Nancy King, Victor Barranco (US Army Blues), and Mel Brown. Each term the Western Oregon Jazz Orchestra performs multiple concerts, records, and tours off campus.

Auditions are held during new student week and on during finals week of fall and winter term.