Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Ivo and Nikolay Ivanov, brothers and professional musicians working in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, will perform during the Chamber Music in the Pines Festival presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music July 8 through 16 in Cole Concert Hall.

Violinist Ivo Ivanov has been a member of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra since 1997 and served as a guest artist during last summer's Chamber Music in the Pines Festival. The Bulgarian native earned his bachelor's degree from the Sate Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria, and his master's degree from Southern Methodist University.

"We are pleased to have Ivo back with us this summer," said John W. Goodall, SFA professor of music and the festival's director. "And we are looking forward to having Nikolay join us. They are both very talented musicians."

Nikolay, like his brother, began studying music at the age of 6, but his instrument of choice is the viola. He received his bachelor's degree from Rousse (Bulgaria) Music College and completed a program of study at the State Academy of Music in Sofia. Later, he attended Southern Methodist University. Currently, he is the principal violist for the Irving and Plano Symphony Orchestras and frequently plays with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Opera Orchestra.

This year's Chamber Music in the Pines Festival is subtitled "Mozart and More." In honor of the 250th anniversary of W.A. Mozart's birth, each of the four concerts will open with a piece by the composer, explained Goodall.

For the opening concert, ". . . With Ripper and Brahms," at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 8, the Ivanovs will join SFA faculty members Jennifer Dalmas, violin, and Evgeni Raychev, cello, in performing Mozart's String Quartet in G Major, K. 387.

Pianist Andrew Parr, SFA professor of music, will join the four string players in presenting Johannes Brahms' Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34.

Also included on the program will be "Kinderszenen" by João Guilherme Ripper, performed by Goodall on oboe, Raychev and pianist Kae Hosoda-Ayer, instructor in the SFA Music Preparatory Division.

Other concerts included in the Chamber Music in the Pines Festival are ". . . With Schubert and Brahms" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, ". . .With Britten, Loeffler and Mendelssohn" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, and ". . . With Beethoven and Dvorák" at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 16.

The festival is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the School of Music. It is sponsored in part by Ed and Gwen Cole.

Season tickets are $30 for adults, $22.50 for seniors and $15 for students. Single event tickets are $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $5 for students.

For tickets or more information, please call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.