SFA bands to present joint concert
November 18, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band in a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.Under the direction of Brett A. Richardson, SFA assistant director of bands, the Symphonic Band will open the concert with Percy Grainger's "Spoon River " and "Old Churches" by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Colgrass.
Mezzo-soprano Deborah Dalton, SFA assistant professor of voice, will join the band in presenting Frank Ticheli's "Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs."
Ticheli employs interesting harmonic and rhythmic language in the four-movement based on hymns from the Shaker sect, explained Richardson. "Before each movement Dr. Dalton will sing the original hymn so that the audience can hear the original song in combination with Ticheli's settings."
The Wind Symphony will open its program with Charles Carter's "Overture for Winds, guest conducted by Garland graduate student Jerry Gonzalez, and John Gibson's "Resting in the Peace of His Hands," a "beautiful work inspired by Kaethe Kollwitz' sculpture by the same name," said David W. Campo, associate director of bands.
"We will then switch gears as we play Paul Hart's 'Cartoon,' a work that immediately bring the listener back to the Saturday morning cartoons of an earlier time," Campo continued.
The Wind Symphony will close the concert with one of Henry Fillmore's last marches, "Gifted Leadership."
Turner Auditorium is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Dr. on the SFA campus.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.