Gold Company qualifies to perform at prestigious fall festival

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Gold Company, Western Michigan University's internationally regarded and award-winning vocal jazz ensemble, won its division at the prestigious Next Generation Jazz Festival March 9-11 in Monterey, California.

In January, Gold Company was selected to be one of only six finalists in the collegiate vocal jazz division invited to perform and compete at the 48th annual festival. It is produced in conjunction with the world-famous 61st annual Monterey Jazz Festival, with winners invited to perform at that festival Sept. 21-23.

Voted "World's Best Jazz Festival" by the readers of JazzTimes magazine for several years, the Monterey Jazz Festival features more than 500 artists performing nonstop on eight stages and includes films, conversations with the festival's stars, exhibitions, food and beverages, and an international shopping bazaar.

Gold Company

Gold Company, directed by Greg Jasperse, is made up of undergraduate and graduate students whose majors range from jazz studies to vocal performance, music education, music therapy and more. Graduates of the program are currently working everywhere from Broadway to Hollywood in music production, composition and arranging, music publishing and music education, as well as currently leading the nation's top collegiate vocal jazz programs.

This select ensemble, part of the innovative jazz studies program at WMU, maintains an active performance schedule throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, including trips to both coasts during the past academic year.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.