'Earth and Sky' joint concert to showcase American composers
October 10, 2012
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The work of contemporary American composers will be highlighted when the Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band perform a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in W.M. Turner Auditorium as part of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music's Concert Series.
"Earth and Sky" will showcase American composers John Gibson, John Stevens and Frank Ticheli, among others, as well as a standard march by venerable British composer Kenneth Alford.
Under the direction of SFA Assistant Director of Bands Tamey Anglley, the Symphonic Band will open the first half of the concert with "Burma Patrol" Oriental March by American march composer Karl King. Hugh Stuart's "A Hymn for Band" will be conducted by graduate student Jay Weems.
"Written in 1985, Stuart composed the original tune designed to be reminiscent of old church melodies," Anglley said.
The Symphonic Band will also perform Vincent Persichetti's "Serenade No. 11 for Band, Op. 85" and Ticheli's "Cajun Folk Songs 2."
The second half of the concert, featuring the Wind Symphony, will begin with Gibson's "Pegasus," the first movement of his three-movement work "The Spirit Sleeping."
"Commissioned by the Dallas Wind Symphony, this work is based on three mythological creatures, all blessed with the gift of flight," said SFA Associate Director of Bands David W. Campo, the Wind Symphony's conductor.
The Wind Symphony will also perform Stevens' moving "Benediction," Alford's poetic march "The Vanished Army" and Ticheli's "Gaian Visions."
"'Gaian Visions' was commissioned by the Gamma Phi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in honor of Dr. Donald Bowen, fifth president of Stephen F. Austin State University," Campo said.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, call (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.