Welcome to the Gold Company Website
The Gold Company Program is widely recognized as one of the most successful and prestigious collegiate vocal jazz programs in the world. Many people believe the Gold Company Program to be unsurpassed in its comprehensive and innovative approach to the art of jazz and contemporary singing, and in its uncompromising dedication to the highest artistic standards. The Gold Company ensembles perform a wide variety of repertoire which covers all styles in the contemporary vocal idiom.
“Gold Company is the most professional college group I have ever seen."
Lyle Mays
“Gold Company is the absolute best sounding, hippest college vocal jazz ensemble I have ever heard.”
Janis Siegel (The Manhattan Transfer)
“Gold Company represents the gold standard among university jazz choral programs.”
Cedric Dent (Take 6)
“Dr. Stephen Zegree is one of those rare directors of collegiate ensembles who is able to take a group, in this case WMU’s Gold Company, to a professional level in performance and recordings.That the group is able to maintain that level through the years of constantly graduating members means, of course, that the best young jazz musicians are going to Kalamazoo to work with and learn from Zegree.”
Primarily A Cappella
“I always enjoy coming and hangin’ out with Gold Company. Steve’s groups are always fantastic. I appreciate their energy and enthusiasm.”
Bobby McFerrin
Diana Spradling Endowed Scholarship Established
We are proud and pleased to announce the establishment of the Diana Spradling Endowed Scholarship Fund. This new endowment honors Professor Spradling and her extraordinary contributions and service to to vocal jazz and music education, and comes on the occasion of her retirement from the faculty at Western Michigan University. Professor Spradling is the author of "Jazz Singing: Developing Artistry and Authenticity" (Sound Music Publications) and her former WMU students include multiple Down Beat award-winners, Broadway performers, studio singers, recording artists, members of national touring companies, and several university appointed jazz voice professors. Please contact us for further information about the Diana Spradling Endowed Scholarship.
American Idol Matt Giraud honored by Governor
GCII Alum and "American Idol" finalist Matt Giraud was honored with a "Welcome Home" ceremony in Kalamazoo that included a performance by Gold Company for more than 4,500 people. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm declared May 7, 2009 "Matt Giraud Day". Matt is pictured here with members of Gold Company, Duane Davis (far left), Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell (in front of Davis) and Steve Zegree (far right).
Duane Davis named Professor of Jazz Voice at WMU
The Jazz Studies Program at Western Michigan University is proud to announce that Duane Shields Davis has been hired to succeed Diana Spradling as Professor of Jazz Voice at The School of Music at Western Michigan University. Professor Davis recently retired as Director of Vocal Music at Grand Rapids Community College and is internationally recognized as a vocal jazz educator. He has traveled throughout the world as clinician and conductor, including recent appearances at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Japan and Carnegie Hall in New York City. He is past conductor of Gold Company and Gold Company II at WMU, and his arrangements and compositions have been premiered and recorded by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and Gold Company, In addition, Professor Davis serves as the Dean on the staff of the Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Camp. He is married and has three children, two of whom, pianist Xavier Davis and drummer Quincy Davis, are alumni of the Jazz Studies Program at Western Michigan University.
Steve Zegree releases new CD!!
Gold Company Director Dr. Steve Zegree has released a new CD on the Sea Breeze Jazz label. “Steve Zegree & Friends” features the pianist playing solo classical and jazz selections and includes duets with Metropolitan Opera baritone Tim Noble, Trent Kynaston, and the Dynamic Duane Shields Davis; a trio with Tim Froncek and Tom Knific; two cuts with the Western Jazz Quartet (featuring jazz drummer Billy Hart); and a cut recorded by Gold Company of a vocal arrangement written by Zegree. According to Zegree, "This is a very eclectic CD that includes some of my favorite musical friends and colleagues, and also manages to tie together all of my musical worlds and existences!"
See Track Listing (and order information)