Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will honor Steve Andre, public school music educator, with the Outstanding Music Alumnus award on Friday, April 27, during Extravaganza 20. The annual gala banquet, held at the Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center, is sponsored by the SFA Friends of Music.

Andre's accomplishments will be highlighted by Dr. John W. Goodall, his former saxophone teacher and current interim dean of the SFA College of Fine Arts.

Andre, who received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from SFA in 1984 and his Master of Music Education from Texas Christian University, is the current president of the Texas Music Educators Association, an office to which he was elected after serving two years as the TMEA Band Division vice-president. The 15,000-member organization is one of the largest in the nation for music educators.

He has also served as band chair in both Region 5 and 24, Region 5 vice-president, 4A and 5A All State Auditions chair and has been an Honor Band panel chair at both the area and state level.

Andre has been a public school music educator for over 20 years. Currently, he is the director of bands and Fine Arts Department chair at Grapevine High School.

Under his leadership, the Grapevine High School Band has been a consistent UIL Sweepstakes award winner. The school's marching band has been a finalist at regional marching contests and a finalist at the Texas State Marching Contest on three occasions, finishing third in 1999 and 2001.

The Grapevine Wind Ensemble has received Superior ratings at local, regional and national festivals, and Grapevine's concert bands have been named the outstanding performing group at festivals in Texas, Florida and New York.

For his outstanding work in the classroom, Andre has received the prestigious UIL Sponsor Excellence Award, the PTA Friend of Children Award, the Grapevine High School Student Council President's Choice Award, and has been named to Who's Who Among American High School Teachers.

Ron Anderson, chair of the SFA School of Music, said more than 200 people are expected for the this year's Extravaganza, "Staircase to the Stars," which features performances by the SFA Wind Ensemble, A Cappella Choir, Swingin' Axes jazz band and Opera Workshop.

Also performing will be three student performers vying for the President's Award, which is given to the school's outstanding recitalist of the year. Dr. Baker Pattillo will present the award.

Dr. Gary Wurtz, SFA assistant professor of music, will serve as master of ceremonies for this year's event.

"Following the banquet, guests will dance the night away to great swing music of the '30s and '40s provided by Tom Houston's Dance Combo," said Anderson.

The Extravaganza 20 Awards Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., and the deadline for reservations is Wednesday, April 25. For tickets or more information, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.