NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Fred J. Allen, director of bands at Stephen F. Austin State University, describes the upcoming Wind Ensemble concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, as "the largest thing we have ever put together." The highlight of the program will be John Corigliano's "Circus Maximus," during which audience members literally will be surrounded by musicians.

Pictured (left to right): mezzo-soprano Erin Roth and violinist Cristian Fatu.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The inspiration for the Orchestra of the Pines' season-closing concert, "Spanish Nights," occurred many years ago when music director Gene H. Moon watched a video of the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's concert of the same title.

Top (from left to right): First Place - inject print "Garden of Earthly Delights" by Eric Tomberlin of Weaverville, N.C.; Third Place - mixed media on canvase "Untitled 3-2" by Michael Blair of Denton; Bottom: Second Place - oil on linen "Portrait of a Romance" by Elizabeth Barlow of San Francisco.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - At the April 14 opening of "Texas National 2012," juror Dave Hickey announced the winners of the annual exhibition present

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA Friends of Music will be accepting reservations through the end of this week for Extravaganza 25, the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music's annual gala banquet. The banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, in the Grand Ballroom of SFA's Baker Pattillo Student Center.

This year's Extravaganza, "Sterling Stars," celebrates the 25th anniversary of the gala banquet, which features gourmet dining, performances by student soloists and ensembles, and the presentation of student awards.

Joshua Dennis and Tiffanny Hamilton rehearse a scene from Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Traviata."

Stephen F. Austin State University graduate vocal students Joshua Dennis of McKinney and Tiffanny Hamilton of Longview rehearse a scene from Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Traviata," which the SFA School of Music and School of Theatre will present at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, through Saturday, April 21, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

2012 Teaching Excellence Award winners (top left to right): Dr. Louise Stoehr, Dr. Betty S. Johnson and Dr. Clint Richardson (bottom left to right): Dr. Heather Olson Beal, Lauren McAdams Selden and Dr. Erin Brown (far right): Kimberly Squyres

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Seven Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members will be honored for their teaching abilities at the annual Teaching Excellence Convocation at 3:30 p.m.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Symphonic Band and University Band of Stephen F. Austin State University will present a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The University Band will open the concert with Randall Standridge's energetic "Steel," which features electrifying percussion and syncopation, said David W. Campo, SFA associate director of bands and the ensemble's conductor.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - East Texans can be among the first to hear the newest works by three acclaimed playwrights during the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre's 2012 Festival of New American Plays Tuesday, April 24, through Saturday, April 28.

"Every two years, we invite some of the best playwrights in the nation to participate in our biennial event," said Scott Shattuck, director of the SFA School of Theatre.