Umpqua Singers,
so much more than jazz

By Rena Bjerke · The Mainstream
Published March 8, 2011

The Umpqua Singers are one of the premiere jazz ensembles in the Pacific Northwest, but they are much more than just a jazz group.

The group is conducted by Dr. Jason Heald, the director of music at UCC. Heald, although raised in Alaska, holds a Ph.D from the University of Oregon, a Master’s from the University of Portland and a Bachelor’s degree from Lewis and Clark College.

The Umpqua Singers perform a broad range of music styles ranging from traditional swing to contemporary R & B. They have already completed ten CDs and perform nearly 50 engagements per year. They have also been featured on FOX, C-SPAN, and XM Satellite Radio.

Perhaps the most memorable event the group has engaged in was the Capitol Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony in Washington D.C. in 2002 where they were the featured performers. That year they performed in 11 different states on the way to the nation’s capital before ending their tour at the tree lighting ceremony.

On May 4th the group will travel back to Dr. Heald’s hometown in Alaska to perform.

Auditions will be held to recruit more Umpqua Singers on May 9 from 1-4 p.m. in Whipple Fine Arts room 12. Practices are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2-4 p.m.

David Whitney, a current member of the group, advises anyone interested in joining to not let anything stop them from doing so.

“It is what makes me wake up every morning. Coming to school and learning a language [music] that everyone knows is an amazing thing to be a part of,” said Whitney.

Another member of the group, Erin Duckworth, said that a lot of the schools the group performs at have never heard live music before. “So many schools don’t have a music program, even though there has been studies showing that music can help kids learn. It is sad, the first thing cut is usually music,” said Duckworth. “We are hoping to encourage some of these schools to get back music programs, it can be very beneficial.”

Scholarships are available to all members of The Umpqua Singers and can pay up to 100 percent of tuition costs.

Currently the choir is made up of 13 members: Katie Beach, Katy Bennett, David Powlison, David Whitney, Brandon Westmoreland, Brandon Franko, Taylor Luzier, Taylor Siling, John Olson, Nick Kirby, Arielle Chesteen, Erin Duckworth, and Shady Moore.

For more information on The Umpqua Singers please contact Dr. Jason Heald in the music department located in the Whipple Fine Arts building.