Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Gene H. Moon, will present its first concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Soprano Debbie Berry, SFA instructor of music, will be the featured soloist in Samuel Barber's "Knoxville: Summer of 1915." The work is based on a text of prose by James Agee, which describes a son's love for his family. "It contains wonderful imagery of the sounds, sights and smells Agee perceived in his childhood," said Moon.

Two other works on the program also impose a degree of imagery upon the listener, Moon added. "The thematic material in Maurice Ravel's 'Pavane' conjures wonderful colors, and the movements in Claude Debussy's 'Children's Corner Suite' describe falling snowflakes, a dancing doll, jaunty elephants and the famous Golliwog's Cakewalk."

The orchestra, comprised of advanced and experienced SFA student musicians, will also perform Felix Mendelssohn's "Sinfonia in C Major."

Moon said he chose the piece because of the virtuosic string writing
and the accuracy of precision it demands upon the strings.

The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts,
Orchestra Series 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.