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Orchestra to Present Familiar American Music at SFA
Sylvia Bierschenk - October 10, 2007
NACOGODCHES, TEXAS - The Orchestra of the Pines will open its season with "Made in the USA," a concert of American compositions, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.
The Orchestra of the Pines is a regional symphony orchestra composed of SFA faculty, students and guest musicians.
According to Gene H. Moon, director of orchestral activities at SFA, nearly all of the music for the evening will be familiar to the audience.
The orchestra will perform two popular pieces by Aaron Copland. "El Salon Mexico," subtitled "Popular Type Dance Hall in Mexico City," was written after the composer visited Mexico City.
"In this successful and widely popular work, Copland provocatively used music indigenous to the area," explained Moon.
Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" has been used in various settings, including the opening theme song for ABC's "Wide World of Sports," and by rock groups such as The Rolling Stones on their 1977 album, "Love You Live" and by Styx in their 1972 album, "Movement for the Common Man."
Audience members who are classic film fans will recognize George Gershwin's "An American in Paris" from the 1951 film of the same name starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. The music puts the listener in the shoes of a wary American tourist taking in the sites of Paris.
Also included on the program is Michael Torke's "Javelin," which commemorates the 1996 Olympic games held in Atlanta and "exudes athleticism and heroic gestures," Moon said.
Flutist Christina Guenther, SFA assistant professor of music, will be the featured soloist on Christopher Rouse's flute concerto.
"This is the most somber and thought-provoking piece on the program," said Moon. "It is a powerful work depicting all sides of humanity."
Guenther, who joined the SFA faculty in 2005, is the principal flutist of the Orchestra of the Pines and performs with the Stone Fort Wind Quintet, an SFA faculty ensemble. She has appeared as soloist, chamber and orchestral musician throughout the United States and Central and South America and has performed with the Shreveport (La.), Marshall (Texas) and Tallahassee symphony orchestras.
"Made in the USA" is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and is a part of the 2007-2008 University Series. The concert is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital and the Wedgeworth-Wright Endowment for the Arts.
Moon will give a brief informative talk about the program at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery, across the hall from the W.M. Turner Auditorium.
Audience members are also invited to a post-performance reception in Griffith Gallery to honor University Series supporters and the event's corporate sponsor.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students. For tickets or more information, please call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS, or purchase tickets on-line.