Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - "A Celebration of Life" is the theme for the spring concert to be presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

David W. Campo, associate director of bands at SFA and the Wind Symphony's director, said each of the pieces to be performed is life affirming. Included on the program are Brian Balmages' "Fanfare Canzonique" which was written in memory of trumpeter Gilbert Johnson, and Mark Spede's arrangement of "Acrostic Song," directed by graduate assistant Weston Fisher.

The final selections on the program are Elliot Del Borgo's "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" and H. Owen Reed's "La Fiesta Mexicana."

"Del Borgo's piece recreates the essence of Dylan Thomas' poem of the same title and borrows the traditional hymn 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,' Campo said. "And Reed's work, which depicts a Mexican religious festival dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is both serious and comical, festive and solemn, devout and pagan, boisterous and tender."

The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.