OneVoice is the flagship ensemble of the vocal jazz program at Millikin University. Begun in 1986 by the group's musical director and keyboardist, Stephen Widenhofer, the program has grown steadily and now boasts several ensembles, including Rebirth of Cool and Vocal Jazz Authority. The vocal jazz program annually hosts an educational Vocal Jazz Festival on campus for high school and collegiate ensembles.
OneVoice has been specially recognized by DOWN BEAT magazine several times and has been invited to perform at various educational conferences and collegiate jazz festivals in the United States including the IAJE international convention in New York City (2001) and San Diego (1989), the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival in Colorado and four times at the Illinois State Music Educator's Association state conference in Peoria. Over the years, OneVoice has been recognized numerous times as one of the outstanding groups at both the Elmhurst Jazz Festival and Gold Company Invitational Jazz Festival.
Stephen Widenhofer is Director of the School of Music at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He is founder of First Step Records , Millikin's own record label and publishing company which is run by students as a hands-on learning experience. Widenhofer also performs as jazz pianist with the Millikin Faculty Jazz Ensemble and is on the music staff at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Decatur.
Personnel
Faith Martin (Ft. Wayne, IN...Commercial Music)
Emily Hodges (Lebanon, IN...Music Education)
Neely Gevaart
(Ft. Wayne, IN...Commercial Music)
Amy Hettinger (Philo, IL...Music Business/Music Performance)
Erin Carroll (Saint Charles, IL...Music Education)
Emily Henderson (Yorba Linda, CA...Commercial Music)
Travis Swinford (Tuscola, IL...Music Education)
Brad Todorovich (New Lenox, IL...Music Business)
Andrew White (Rochester, NY...Music Education)
Phillip Mueller (Manchester, IA...Commercial Music)
Tony Marx (Rockford, IL...Commercial Music)
Aaron Lahey, guitar (Jacksonville, IL(...Commercial Music)
Andy Heise, bass (Jacksonville, IL...Commercial Music)
Marc Widenhofer, drums (Decatur, IL...Commercial Music)
Steve Andreas, sound technician (Wildwood, MO...Commercial Music)
Upcoming Events
November 8, 2007 (7:30) - Vocal Jazz Night (Richards Treat University Center)
February 9, 2008 (7:00pm) - Guest Ensemble @ Greater Decatur Chorale Concert (Decatur Civic Center)
February
10, 2008 (7:30pm) - Millikin Vocal Festival (Kirkland Fine Arts Center)
February 16, 2008 (7:00pm) - Millikin Vocal Jazz Festival Concert (Sunny Wilkinson, guest artist)
April 10/11, 2008 - Tour to Indiana
April 11, 2008 - Guest Ensemble @ Tiffin College Vocal Jazz Festival (Tiffin, OH)
April 18, 2008 (7:30pm) - Millikin Jazz Showcase (with Jazz Band I)
For Booking Information: tel 217.424.6300