Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present "Under the Wire," a recital of compositions by SFA professor Stephen Lias, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The recital's title refers to the fact that almost all of the works presented were completed just barely before their respective deadlines, explained Lias.

An entirely different way to consider the program is to compare it to a meal, Lias explained. "I'll offer the audience an appetizer, entrée with two sides and two dessert choices."

SFA faculty members Gary Wurtz, trumpet; Charles Gavin, horn; and Deb Scott, trombone; will perform the first course of the "meal," "Burlesque," a piece Lias describes as "frothy, funny and lighthearted.''

Baritone Scott LaGraff, SFA assistant professor of music, and pianist Tracy Ward will present what Lias calls the "meat" of the program, "Songs of a Sourdough." The five songs set to texts by Canadian poet Robert Service were written especially for LaGraff's upcoming compact disk of songs by contemporary American composers for Centaur Records.

"They represent my recent compositional style, and I?m so pleased with Scott's interpretation." Lias said. "He doesn't just 'sing' the pieces, he 'performs' them, actually portraying the characters and capturing all the nuances of the music."

The two "side" dishes of the program will be "White Water," performed by Ward, and "The Rock, the Prayer and the Cross," performed by Gavin and pianist Ron Petti, SFA director of accompanying.

The Stone Fort Wind Quintet, composed of SFA faculty members Christina Guenther, flute, John W. Goodall, oboe; Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Gavin, horn; Kirsten Nelson, bassoon; guest player Brian Utley, saxophone; will perform "Glide," a piece they commissioned and premiered in November.

The other "dessert" selection, "Sassafras," will be performed by Wurtz on trumpet, Lias on piano, alumnus Joshua High on bass, and SFA assistant professor Scott Harris on drums.

Lias has composed music for over 30 professional theatrical productions, including "I Hate Hamlet" at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Thus summer will mark his 10th season as composer-in-residence and music director of the Texas Shakespeare Festival.

His works have been performed in concerts and recitals throughout the United States and abroad by soloists and ensembles such as the Louisiana Sinfonietta, the Monmouth College Chorale, the Red Stick Saxophone Quartet and the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin.

For nine consecutive years the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has recognized Lias with an ASCAPlus Award.

Lias was selected as the 2003 Commissioned Composer for the Texas Music Teachers Association and has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Composers, USA. He is the founder and director of the Center for the Promotion of Contemporary Composers.

Tickets for the recital are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please call (936) 468-5820 or (888) 240-ARTS.