WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS WMU ensemble only U.S. group invited to French choral festival Oct. 25, 2004 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's Gold Company Sextet is in France as the only U.S. group and only vocal jazz ensemble invited to perform at a new choral festival. Sextet members departed Saturday, Oct. 23, for Europe and a string of performances culminating in an appearance as one of just 14 featured groups at the inaugural Polyfollia choral music festival in St. Lo, France. The group also will give several shows in Belgium. "We are humbled and honored," says Dr. Stephen Zegree, WMU professor of music and the ensemble's director, "and I promise to do my best to see to it that our students represent WMU well in this world-class venue. It certainly is an extraordinary opportunity for the students." Polyfollia organizers also sound as if they are excited about the prospects of the Gold Company Sextet appearing at their festival. The festival's program states that sextet members "energetically interpret an eclectic and innovative repertoire, for the great pleasure of the general public, astounding all ages. The sextet easily mixes fundamental elements of choral music with subtle jazz variations, augmented by swing and improvisation, with detours into pop and funk." For more festival information, visit the festival Web site at <www.polyfollia.org>. Gold Company Sextet Justin Avery of Traverse City, Mich., is an April 2004 graduate in jazz studies and a tenor with the sextet. Joe Beutel of Fort Wayne, Ind., is a junior majoring in voice performance and sings bass with the sextet. Tim Bucholz of Stevens Point, Wis., is a senior majoring in jazz studies and sings tenor with the sextet. Katie Campbell of Valley Village, Calif., is an April 2004 graduate in jazz studies and a soprano with the sextet. Nayanna Holley of Los Angeles is a junior majoring in jazz studies and a soprano with the sextet. Jevin Hunter of Detroit is a junior music major and drummer for the sextet. David Izard of Summit, N.J., is a senior majoring in jazz studies and plays piano and saxophone for the sextet. Johnaye Kendrick of San Diego is a senior majoring in jazz studies and sings alto with the sextet. Aaron Tully of North Olmsted, Ohio, is a junior majoring in jazz studies and plays bass guitar for the sextet. Matt Warnock of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is a graduate student in music performance and plays guitar for the sextet. Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news