Skip to main content
The Arts

Vocal Jazz Fest Set, March 5

By March 1, 2010November 16th, 2018No Comments

Noted Singer/Arranger/Educator Kerry Marsh will lead students in day-long workshops, evening concert

Another long-standing musical tradition at Kirkwood Community College takes center stage Friday, March 5. Kirkwood’s award-winning jazz vocal groups will join dozens of Iowa high school singers and a special guest artist for Vocal Jazz Fest 2010. A day of workshops and learning will culminate in a public concert at 8 p.m. in Kirkwood’s Ballantyne Auditorium.

Acclaimed arranger/educator Kerry Marsh is guest artist for the festival, working with the student groups and performing with them during the day, then leading and performing with Kirkwood’s ensembles in the evening concert. The festival events and concert are directed by Kirkwood Vocal Director Ray Salucka. He calls the festival “an energetic, inspiring event” for visiting performers and student vocalists alike.

“We have enjoyed great response from our spring vocal jazz festival every year. This March we are most fortunate to have a guest who embodies the joy and discipline that mark the best in our craft. Kerry will be a powerful talent on stage, and we know our visitors, the Kirkwood students and audience members alike will enjoy the spirit he imparts in teaching and performing,” Saluka observed.

Kerry Marsh is a member of the jazz studies faculty at Sacramento State University, directing the three vocal jazz ensembles, teaching jazz arranging, and overseeing the jazz voice studies program. Kerry earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Kansas and a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 2003. Under Marsh’s direction, the Sacramento State Jazz Singers performed at International Association of Jazz Educators conferences in Long Beach, CA, and New York City. These two ensembles were awarded a total of five Down Beat Magazine Student Music Awards between 2005 and 2008.

Marsh is a leading composer and arranger of music for vocal jazz ensembles, instrumental jazz ensembles, marching bands and other musical groups. Marsh won a 2003 Down Beat Student Music Award for his arrangement of John Coltrane’s ‘Impressions’ for vocal jazz ensemble.

Tickets for the March 5 evening Vocal Jazz Fest concert are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students with current ID. Kirkwood faculty, staff and students are admitted free of charge for the 8 p.m. performance. Tickets are available from Kirkwood Student Life, (319) 398-5578.