Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Grammy-nominated Borealis Wind Quintet and one of America's leading pianists, Leon Bates, will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in W.M. Turner Auditorium. The event is part of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts' University Series.

Acclaimed as one America's preeminent chamber ensembles, The Borealis Wind Quintet combines the highest musical integrity, irresistible energy and five-fold charisma, explained John W. Goodall, associate dean and director of programming and development for the SFA College of Fine Arts.

The Washington Post praised the quintet's "sensitive collaborations that have a sophisticated and cosmopolitan air," and The New York Times described one of their concerts as "a polished, elegantly turned performance."

The quintet, composed of flutist Katherine Fink, oboist Tamar Beach Wells, clarinetist Kathryn Taylor, horn player Dan Culpepper, and bassoonist Wayne Hileman, will open the program with two selections.Then Bates will join them to perform two numbers for piano and wind quintet.

Since winning the Philadelphia Orchestra Senior Auditions as a student, Bates has performed in prestigious American venues such as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and Philadelphia's Academy of Music and Kimmel Center, playing with major symphonies such as the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, American Symphony and Atlanta Symphony.

Bates has also performed with the Vienna Symphony, the Sinfonica dell'di Santa Cecilia in Rome, the Strasbourg Symphony in France, the Czech National Symphony and the Quebec Symphony.

The Los Angeles Times called him "fiercely talented and powerful."

"We are excited about bringing these six talented musicians to Nacogdoches," Goodall said. "Chamber music enthusiasts and piano lovers alike are in for a real treat."

Prior to the concert, Christopher Ayer, SFA associate professor of music, will give a brief informative talk on the program at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery, across the hall from Turner Auditorium. Audience members are also invited to a post-performance reception in the gallery to meet the artists and honor the event's corporate sponsor, Commercial Bank of Texas.

Adult tickets range from $35 to $17.50, with 50 percent discounts for students. For tickets or more information, please call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS, or purchase tickets on-line.

College of Fine Arts
Stephen F. Austin State University
Box 13022, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3022
Phone: 936-468-2801 | Fax: 936-468-1168
Dr. A.C. "Buddy" Himes, Dean
Roni Lias, Webmaster