Gold Company to pay tribute to the Oscars

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's award-winning vocal jazz ensemble, Gold Company, will perform favorites from the silver screen in Gold Company Salutes the Oscars.

Shows begin at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the University's Miller Auditorium.

Widely recognized as one of the most successful and prestigious collegiate vocal jazz groups in the world, Gold Company has appeared throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Under the direction of Dr. Stephen Zegree, WMU's Bobby McFerrin Professor of Jazz, this high-energy ensemble combines musical elements from the traditional choral style with stylistic characteristics from the jazz vernacular, emphasizing improvisation and swing. During Gold Company Salutes the Oscars, the group will perform spectacular production medleys featuring songs that were Academy Award winners from the 1930s to today.

Gold Company has appeared with guest artists including Bobby McFerrin, Janis Siegel, Mark Murphy, Rosemary Clooney, Jon Hendricks, 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 such talents as Gene Puerling, Clare Fischer, Darmon Meader, Michele Weir and WMU alumna Jennifer Shelton, among others. Gold Company has also recorded several audio and video demo tapes for Hal Leonard Publications and Shawnee Press. The ensemble has been awarded more than 20 "deebee" awards from Down Beat Magazine.

Tickets

Gold Company Salutes the Oscars is part of the Lake Michigan Mailers Spotlight Series and is welcomed by Meijer. Tickets are on sale now and range from $15 to $22. They can be purchased online at millerauditorium.com, by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858, or in person at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office.

A 15 percent discount is available to all WMU faculty and staff, and a 50 percent discount is available to WMU students. Discounted tickets may be purchased by phone or in person, and a valid Bronco Card is required at the time of pickup. Group discounts are available at (269) 387-2312.

For more information, contact Bethany Gauthier at @email or (269) 387-2245.