Gold Company performs in 17-day South Africa tour
July 16, 2003
KALAMAZOO --Twenty-one members of Western Michigan University's award-winning vocal jazz ensemble Gold Company recently performed at New York City's Lincoln Center, then toured South Africa.
The award-winning group, under the direction of Dr. Stephen Zegree, celebrated its 25th anniversary in international style by performing in concert at Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center on April 29, then departed the following day for a 17-day tour of South Africa.
Gold Company performed in Lincoln Center as part of the New York City Jazz and Show Choir Festival. Appearing with Gold Company was guest Darmon Meader from New York Voices. The group traveled to South Africa at the invitation of the South African Choral Society and the South African Department of Education, presenting nine public concerts. Zegree also gave five public master classes on vocal jazz, working with students and amateur choirs from throughout the country.
Upon returning, ensemble members learned that they had garnered two awards in Down Beat Magazine's annual Student Awards Competition in the area of vocal jazz. Results were released in the magazine's June issue.
Gold Company was named a co-winner in the Jazz Vocal Choir category for ensembles of more than eight singers. The other co-winner was the University of Miami. The Gold Company Sextet also was a co-winner in the Jazz Vocal Group category for two to eight singers along with American River College and DeAnza College. WMU also brought home top honors for Best Engineered Studio Recording, bringing its Down Beat award total this year to three awards. WMU's streak of multiple Down Beat awards dates back to 1993. For several years running, WMU was leading all schools in the nation for the number of awards during the same period.
Gold Company Members on the
2003 Lincoln Center/South Africa Tour
Jeremy Beiber of Wheaton, Ill., a graduate student majoring in music performance and jazz studies, is a graduate of Wheaton Warrenville South High School and son of George and Donna Beiber.
Timothy C. Buchholz of Stevens Point, Wis., a sophomore majoring in jazz studies, is a graduate of Steven's Point Area Senior High School and son of Thomas and Milanne Buchholz.
Kathryn D. Campbell of North Hollywood, Calif., a senior majoring in jazz studies, is a graduate of Hamilton High School Academy of Music and daughter of Mike and Elaine Campbell.
Gerald (J.C.) Coffey Jr. of Atkinson, N.H., a freshman majoring in jazz studies, graduate of Timberlane Regional High School, son of Gerald and Jacqueline Coffey Sr.
Daneen Conrad of Rockford, Mich., a junior majoring in vocal music education and child development, is a graduate of Rockford High School and daughter of Jerome and Judith Conrad.
Benjamin Daneman of Ada, Mich., a freshman majoring in music education and jazz studies, is a graduate of Forest Hills Central High School and son of Marc and Linda Daneman.
Sarah Deitsche of Eau Claire, Wis., a senior majoring in jazz studies, is a graduate of Eau Claire Memorial High School and son of Barry Dietsche and Janis Hyde.
Michael Green, of Benton Harbor, Mich., a sophomore majoring in jazz studies, is a graduate of Coloma High School and son of Ira and Louise Green Jr.
Brandon Harris of Grand Rapids, Mich., a sophomore majoring in vocal music education, is a graduate of Ottawa Hills High School and son of Leatha Harris.
Matthew Heredia of Grand Rapids, Mich., a sophomore majoring in jazz studies, is a graduate of Forest Hills Northern High School and son of John Heredia and Robin Graham.
Nayanna Holley of Los Angeles, a freshman majoring
in jazz studies and voice, is a
graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and daughter
of Dorian Holley and Carla Kemp-Holley.
Jevin Hunter of Detroit, a senior majoring in music, is a graduate of Ferndale High School and son of Will Hunter and Deborah Harvill.
David Izard of Summit, N.J., a sophomore majoring in jazz studies, is a graduate of Summit High School and son of Daniel and Diane Izard.
Christina Johnson of Lansing, Mich., a senior majoring in vocal jazz studies, is a graduate of Waverly High School and daughter of Melvin Hackel and RoeLane Johnson.
Johnaye Kendrick of San Diego, a junior majoring in jazz studies, is a graduate of San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and daughter of John and Kath Jo Kendrick.
Kristin E. Kenning of Warren, Mich., a junior majoring
in vocal performance,
is a graduate of Paul K. Cousino High School and daughter of
James and Kitty Kenning.
Erik F. Martinez of Monona, Wis., a senior majoring in jazz studies, is a graduate of Monona Grove High School and son of Neflali and Pamela Martinez.
Timothy Mellon of Kalamazoo, a junior majoring in music education, is a graduate of Chippewa Valley High School and son of Duane Ray and Latifa Ramsey.
Jay Melton of Kalamazoo, a junior majoring in music, is a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and son of Shirley Straight.
Darius Pimpleton of Muskegon, Mich., a senior majoring in music education, is a graduate of Mona Shores High School and son of Jerome and Loretta Pimpleton.
Mimi Rohlfing of Arlington, Mass., is a graduate student
and graduate assistant majoring
in vocal jazz performance. She is a graduate of Boyertown (Pa.)
Area High School.
Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu