About Gold Company and Dr. Steve Zegree
The Gold Company Program is widely recognized as one of the most successful and prestigious collegiate vocal jazz programs in the world. The ensembles perform a wide variety of repertoire which covers all styles in the contemporary vocal idiom. Gold Company combines the fundamental musical elements from the traditional choral style with stylistic characteristics from the jazz vernacular with an emphasis on improvisation and swing. Gold Company has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and South Africa. The groups have appeared at the World Symposium on Choral Music, the national conventions of MENC and IAJE, and the divisional conventions of ACDA, as well as performing at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the 1st Annual Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Jazz Festival. Gold Company has also appeared with guest artists including Bobby McFerrin, Janis Siegel, Mark Murphy, Rosemary Clooney, Kurt Elling, The Manhattan Transfer, Jon Hendricks, Darmon Meader, and Don Shelton and Bonnie Herman of The Singers Unlimited. In addition, Gold Company has had the honor of performing arrangements specifically written for the group by talents such as Fred Hersch, Gene Puerling, Clare Fischer, Darmon Meader, Michele Weir and Duane Davis, as well as Gold Company alumni including Jennifer Shelton Barnes, Greg Jasperse, Matt Falker, Tim Brent, Derek Fawcett, Justin Avery, Jed Scott, Justin Binek, and Ly Tartell, among others. Gold Company has recorded several audio and video demo tapes for Hal Leonard Publications , Shawnee Press and Heritage Music Press. Additionally, students and ensembles within the Program have been awarded over 45 “DB” awards from Down Beat Magazine, more than any other collegiate vocal program.
Biography of Dr. Stephen Zegree
Bobby McFerrin Distinguished Professor of Jazz and Director of Gold Company
Internationally recognized as one of the most respected vocal jazz conductors and educators in the world, Steve Zegree is also active as a pianist, conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. His career as a pianist and conductor includes performances on five continents.
Dr. Zegree is in demand as a pianist, clinician, adjudicator and conductor around the world. A renowned educator, his students are among today’s leaders in jazz and pop performance, Broadway, recording studio production, writing, arranging, singing, and music education.
His internationally acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble, Gold Company, has won numerous "Outstanding Performance" awards from Down Beat magazine and has performed at MENC National Conventions, IAJE International Conferences, the World Symposium on Choral Music, several major jazz festivals, and with recognized artists including Bobby McFerrin, Janis Siegel, Jon Hendricks, Darmon Meader, Mark Murphy, Don Shelton, and Bonnie Herman.
Dr. Zegree auditioned, arranged for and rehearsed Nick Lachey's "Team Lachey", the winning choir on NBC's "Clash Of The Choirs". He is the founder of The Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Camp, held every summer at Western Michigan University.
Dr. Zegree's choral arrangements have been published by Hal Leonard, Warner Bros., Alfred Publications and Shawnee Press, and he has produced several recordings including Mark Murphy Sings the Nat King Cole Songbook, Vol. I and II, on Muse Records which received a Grammy Award nomination. His piano CD, "Steve Zegree and Friends" is released on the Sea Breeze Jazz label.
His highly acclaimed first book, “The Complete Guide To Teaching Vocal Jazz”, is published by Heritage Music Press, a division of Lorenz Music Publishing. His latest book, "The Wow Factor: How to Create It, Inspire It and Achieve It" will be published by Hal Leonard and released in Spring 2010.
Dr. Zegree is a Steinway Artist.