Photo: Dan Videtich Marti Dunn-Hall, director of Stamvoja (for ST. AMbrose VOcal JAzz), leads her students during a rehearsal at Madsen Hall, St. Ambrose University, earlier this month. From left are Ms. Dunn-Hall and Stamvoja members Allison Costello, Linda Canty, Phillip Potter and Jodi Leonard. The 11-person ensemble will perform at Carnegie Hall April 21. More photos from this shoot

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.

That's no joke for Stamvoja, St. Ambrose University's vocal-jazz ensemble. The group, formed in the spring of 1997, has shown its mettle by being one of about a dozen ensembles nationwide selected to perform at an invitational concert April 21 at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

``This is going to be quite a trip,'' said Marti Dunn-Hall, the group's director and creator.

``We're really excited,'' Andy Burman, a sophomore tenor, said. ``We've been working pretty hard.''

The invitational is arranged by Phil Mattson, ``known all over the world for his vocal-jazz compositions,'' Ms. Dunn-Hall said. He visited St. Ambrose last year and heard the group perform.

``He was pretty impressed with Stamvoja,'' Ms. Dunn-Hall said. ``We got the invitation.''

Although they've known about the trip for almost a year, the reality started to sink in the fall. Both vocally and financially, a lot of preparations had to be made.

``It's a pretty intense rehearsal schedule,'' Ms. Dunn-Hall said. She works with the 11-member group twice a week for 90 minutes at a time, and has thrown in additional practices as the concert approached.

The students also did a lot of fundraising, as the trip will cost about $1,300 each. When possible, they tried to use their voices to earn money.

``We did a lot of gigs at Christmas time,'' Ms. Dunn-Hall said. ``The group's worked really hard.''

``It's been quite a challenge to get ready,'' Mr. Burman said.

Stamvoja auditions are held at the beginning of each school year. Originally, Ms. Dunn-Hall said, Stamvoja ``appealed more to people who just like to perform than to music majors.'' Over time, however, it's the more serious music students who've been attracted to the group.

``It's a much higher level of difficulty,'' she said. ``It's such a huge commitment.''

It's a competitive group. Of 20 people who auditioned this year, 11 were selected: Mr. Burman, Linda Canty, Allison Costello, Sarah Davis, Sarah Foley, Audrey Gregan, Jodi Leonard, Dan McGinn, Phillip Potter, Aaron Waytenick and Curtis Worrell.

``The interest gets higher from year to year,'' Ms. Dunn-Hall said. ``I anticipate a really large group auditioning next year.''

At the concert -- where ticket prices will start at $59 -- Stamvoja will be doing two or three numbers on its own and several pieces combined with all the other ensembles. The singers also will get the chance to attend workshops about solo jazz singing, improvisational jazz, and jazz history.

Making the event even more special, David Dunn, Ms. Dunn-Hall's son, will be playing bass for the concert. ``I'm really lucky,'' she said.

Mr. Burman credits Ms. Dunn-Hall with making the group good enough to perform in such a prestigious venue.

``She really knows what she's doing,'' he said. ``I couldn't think of a better director to have. Ambrose is lucky to have her.''

Staff writer Stephanie Massick can be reached at (309) 786-6441, ext. 206, or by e-mail at smassick@qconline.com.

Return to STAMVOJA Home