News
Steve Zegree in Europe
Dr. Steve Zegree was recently invited to make two separate trips to Europe this fall. He presented clinics and workshops at the 2009 Vocal Jazz Summit in Mainz, Germany, that included performances by The Manhattan Transfer, The Real Group and The Swingle Singers. This was followed by conducting appearances in Sweden at the 20th Anniversary celebration of The World Youth Choir (www.worldyouthchoir.org),in conjunction with The International Federation of Choral Music, Europa Cantat and the Swedish International Choral Center.
Gold Company to appear in New York City
Gold Company will present a featured concert as part of the New York City Vocal Jazz Festival February 26 - March 1, 2010. The concert will be Sunday February 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The concert will include a performance by the festival chorus made of up other participating ensembles and conducted by Dr. Steve Zegree.
Gold Company Sextet in France
The Gold Company Sextet was honored with an invitation to perform at the 2009 Summer Polyfollia Festival in France (www.polyfollia.org). The GC Sextet was the only ensemble from the United States and the only vocal jazz ensemble invited.
Gold Company on Oprah
We are proud to inform you that the Western Michigan University Gold Company was joined by 4 members of Gold Company II , 4 Gold Company alumni, and 6 singers unaffiliated with WMU to form a choir that performed with pop singing sensation Cherise, and song-writing and legendary producer David Foster on the Oprah Winfrey Show May 18. According to Gold Company Director Steve Zegree:
"This is a wonderful performance opportunity for our students and they represented our Jazz Studies Program at the School of Music at Western Michigan University with pride and professionalism. I am proud that our students were once again able to represent WMU to a wide audience in the most positive ways."
Gold Company Alumnus in "American Idol" Final Five!
We are proud of WMU alum Matt Giraud who is one of the Top 5 finalists of the 2009 "American Idol" competition. Matt sang in Gold Company II for two years and is a talented singer and pianist. In addition, Matt is a great guy... so he's a deserving winner! You can catch Matt on the American Idol tour throughout the country this summer! Read more about Matt.
Zegree coaches “Team Lachey” to victory on NBC’s “Clash of the Choirs”
Our own Steve Zegree was the “secret weapon” for the Cincinnati based Nick Lachey choir’s victory in the four-night, nationally televised “Clash of the Choirs,” according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Music superstar Lachey tapped Zegree to rehearse his hometown choir for performances in “Clash of the Choirs Holiday Challenge,” which aired live on NBC from New York City Dec. 17 - 20. The show featured music genres ranging from current pop hits to holiday classics. Viewers voted to eliminate one of the five choirs in the competition each of the four nights.
Lachey’s choir prevailed, bringing home $250,000 from General Electric for Cincinnati-area charities. Zegree wrote the choral arrangements for 7 of the 9 pieces the choir performed, rehearsed the choir for more three weeks (a total of 40 hours) in Cincinnati, traveled to New York for three more days of rehearsals prior to the live broadcasts and remained in New York to work with Lachey and the singers throughout the competition.
“Zegree is the Sondheim of choral jazz,” said Kathy Springfield, Xavier University threatre arts director, in the Enquirer article. The choir rehearsed at Xavier while in Cincinnati.
“Steve is amazing. He is by far the best coach and director I’ve ever had,” said Nick Wall, a member of the choir and a former soloist for the Ohio All-State Choir in high school.
Lachey’s choir competed against hometown choirs put together by other music superstars, including Patti Labelle, Philadelphia; Kelly Rowland, Houston; Blake Shelton, Oklahoma City; and Michael Bolton, New Haven, Conn.
Zegree and GC in China!!
Dr. Steve Zegree was honored with an invitation to serve as guest conductor for the 2008 Summer Session of the World Youth Choir. The concerts and touring took place in Hong Kong, China and Macau, and highlights included a televised performance at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies in Hong Kong as well as a concert that included international movie star Jackie Chan as vocal soloist!
Current and former instrumental and vocal Gold Company members were an important and integral part of the 2008 World Youth Choir. David Izard, Aaron Tully and Ryan Andrews served as the rhythm section, Derek Fawcett was the Bass Section Leader, Patrick Laslie sang and performed on saxophone, and Nate Adams wrote an arrangement of Irving Berlin’s “Always” especially for the World Youth Choir that was world-premiered on this tour.
Steve Zegree conducted a concert in Hong Kong with full symphony orchestra , chorus and the featured vocal soloist was movie star Jackie Chan! The concert was broadcast on television throughout China.
Dr. Zegree was quoted as saying, “The World Youth Choir is an amazing ensemble, consisting of 80 singers, between the ages of 18-27, from over 30 countries around the world. It was an honor to have been invited to conduct the ensemble on this extraordinary tour in China.
I was also proud that several of our current and former Gold Company students were able to take part in this memorable musical and cultural experience.”
Steve Zegree and Jackie Chan
Gold Company honored to sing on new Tim Hauser CD
Tim Hauser (bass and founding member of The Manhattan Transfer) has released his first solo CD, called “Love Stories” (King Records), and Tim invited Gold Company to record the background vocals on one of the cuts, “Prisoner of Love”. The vocal chart was arranged by Roger Treece and recorded at our own Western Sound Studios with Steve Zegree and Tim producing the session. The lead vocals on that cut are shared by Frankie Valli, Kenny Rankin and Tim Hauser.