Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University Symphonic Band and Chamber Winds will present a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in Cole Concert Hall.

Under the direction of Fred J. Allen, SFA director of bands, the Symphonic Band will open the concert with Clifton Williams' "Fanfare and Allegro" and Timothy Mahr's "Daydream." Graduate assistant Steve Moreland of Hallsville will direct Karl King's "March Invictus."

The Chamber Winds' portion of the program will explore the idea of musical borders, according to the group's director, David W. Campo. The band's first piece will be Mahr's "Fantasia in G," which is based on the first line of Johann von Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy," as was Beethoven's famed "Symphony No. 9."

"Mahr has taken Beethoven's well-known melody and set it in a joyful celebration for winds and percussion," explained Campo. "This stirring melody was heard around the world when the wall separating East and West Berlin was torn down."

Another historical occasion is explored in Ron Nelson's "Morning Alleluias for the Winter Solstice." While the composer recalls the bombing of Hiroshima, he chooses not to dwell on the destruction involved, but to celebrate the dignity and joy recovered by the citizens of Hiroshima some 60 years after the bombing, Campo explained. Kevin Whitelaw, graduate student from Denver, Col., will conduct this piece.

The Chamber Winds will also perform Mark Camphouse's "A Movement for Rosa," which is a tribute to Rosa Parks, and Derle Long, director of bands at the University of Louisiana - Monroe, will guest conduct "Dusk" by Steven Bryant.

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.