Jacobs appoints faculty member

World-renowned vocal jazz conductor and educator Steve Zegree will head the Singing Hoosiers in addition to serving as the Pam and Jack Burks Professor of Music for the Jacobs School of Music.

“I am excited and honored by the prospect of being only the fourth director of the Singing Hoosiers, and I very much look forward to working with my new students and creating great music,” Zegree said.

Founded in 1950, the Singing Hoosiers perform American popular music, jazz and new Broadway tunes set to high-energy choreography.

Zegree said the faculty and administration approached him with great interest in expanding the vocal jazz and contemporary vocal programs at IU.

“I was attracted by this forward-looking, inclusive and visionary philosophy,” he said. “I think having a highly visible program like this at IU will help make the Jacobs School unique among world-class music conservatories.”

The appointment follows Michael Schwartzkopf’s retirement.

Schwartzkopf, director for the past 17 years and a new member of the Singing Hoosier Alumni Council, said he thoroughly enjoyed representing the University through the group’s worldwide performances.

“Steve Zegree will be an outstanding successor and next director of the Singing Hoosiers,” he said. “He brings a lot of expertise to the group, and I expect him to bring the Singing Hoosiers to new levels and new experiences in music.”

Before accepting the job, Zegree previously acted as the Bobby McFerrin Distinguished Professor of Music at Western Michigan University, according to a press release.

His work at WMU has also included directing Gold Company, a vocal jazz ensemble that has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and South Africa.

“I am extremely fortunate to have many wonderful professional experiences both as a performer and conductor,” Zegree said. “Most of all, I am passionate about music education and giving my students musical opportunities, including performance and personal experiences and memories that they might not find in another classroom.”

In order to maximize the success of the Singing Hoosiers in the 2012-13 school year, Zegree plans to work diligently.

“We will hit the ground running from minute one of the first rehearsal in the fall,” he said. “We look forward to sharing our music with our audiences.”

Zegree said he expects to continue his professional activities outside Bloomington, as long as they do not interfere with his teaching responsibilities.

“I think this kind of external exposure also benefits the entire University, as well as the recruiting of future talented graduate and undergraduate students to the Jacobs School,” he said.

Realizing the importance of carrying on lasting traditions, Zegree said he is willing to work with past and current members to maintain expectations.

“It is very important that we meet the musical and educational needs of our students as we prepare them for success in the real world after they graduate from IU,” Zegree said.

Cullen McCarty, president of the Singing Hoosiers Alumni Board, said he expects Zegree to uphold the traditions most associated with the Singing Hoosiers’ repertoire.

“There’s a family feel to the group, especially with the songs we perform,” he said. “Some of the songs performed today were arrangements from the ’90s, ’80s and further back. That right there is a nutshell of information about traditions in the group.”

That being said, Zegree is also looking forward to incorporating his own style.

“I have very high expectations of my students and try to set the musical standard as high as possible,” he said. “I expect our Singing Hoosier concerts to be fun, exciting, educational, entertaining and artistic.”

What will be fun to watch is what Zegree’s tenure brings to the table, McCarty said.

“There’s always room for improvement, and I think he will introduce new arrangements and types of music, especially in the area of jazz,” McCarty said.

Zegree’s experiences greatly enhance potential networking contacts for students and alumni, McCarty added.

“His breadth of experience is incredible,” he said. “He has worked in numerous clinics in the country and world. He coached Nick Lachey’s team to victory on a reality show where choirs performed against each other. It’s totally different from what we had before.”