SFA University
November 30, 2016 - The combined choirs at Stephen F. Austin State University, along with the Orchestra of the Pines, will present SFA’s traditional holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the university campus.
The highly anticipated annual celebration will feature “Hodie,” or “This Day,” a Christmas cantata by the great English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, according to Dr. Tim King, director of choral activities for the SFA School of Music.
“This exhilarating telling of the Christmas story was composed between 1953 and 1954,” King said. “It was Williams’ last major choral-orchestral composition and was premiered under his baton at Worcester Cathedral as part of the Three Choirs Festival on Sept. 8,1954.
“The cantata, in 16 movements, is scored for treble chorus, mixed chorus organ and orchestra, and it will feature our SFA voice faculty soloists,” he said. Those include Charlotte Davis, Scott LaGraff and Richard G. Leonberger.
The program will also include the popular Christmas carol sing-a-long that has become a favorite feature of the annual event, King said.
The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Turner Auditorium is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
November 29, 2016 - The Latin Lumberjacks ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform an outdoor holiday concert from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, in the plaza outside the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus.
The Latin Lumberjacks is comprised of members of the Sound Recording Technology program within the SFA School of Music. Directed by Luigi Lazareno, music faculty member, the group will perform a variety of popular holiday songs in salsa style.
The Christmas-themed program will feature colorful, happy salsa sounds that highlight the powerful rhythms of cha-cha-cha, bolero, guaguancó, son montuno, bachata and others performed with congas, bongos, maracas, claves and other Latin music instruments.
“Come join the fun and get in the Christmas spirit,” Lazareno said.
The concert is free. For more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
November 29, 2016 Nacogdoches – The Rockin’ Axes at Stephen F. Austin State University will present “The Sounds of the ’80s” when the two student ensembles perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
Andrew Sperandeo, director of the Rockin’ Axes groups, chose a theme that chronologically followed popular music through the decades because he wanted his students to experience “great music and great artists.”
Beginning with songs of the ’50s and ’60s three years ago, moving to the music of the ’70s last year, and forward to the music of the ’80s this year, Sperandeo’s students have seen how music, culture and style have changed over time, and they have seen how the music of previous decades influenced musicians that followed, he explained.
Among the program selections are “Rosanna,” written by David Paich and recorded by Toto; “Let’s Groove,” written by Maurice White and Wayne Vaughn and recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire; and “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” written by Trevor Rabin and recorded by “Yes.”
Toto was comprised of talented studio musicians from the ‘80’s who played on many of the big hits by other artist of the time, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Sperandeo said.
“‘Rosanna’ can be appreciated by so many because it has solid half-time shuffle groove, catchy chord progression and amazing vocals and harmony,” he said. “It contains a bit more advanced elements such as key changes and style changes, notably in the outro.”
Sperandeo chose “Let’s Groove” because he “always loved the intro bass line double with a vox vocoder, and also because this band is the epitome of groove – great horn lines and vocal harmonies,” he said. “I knew the kids and the audience would have fun with this one.”
Performing “Owner of a Lonely Heart” will allow student to experience a little of the “progressive rock scene” of the ‘80’s, Sperandeo said, “and Yes definitely fell into that category.”
“I love the different textural layers in this tune created from great guitar tone and effects, with synth orchestral hits, hard-hitting bright snare and high clean vocals,” he said. “All of these elements and great mixing and mastering make it sound very progressive, even 30 years later.”
The Contemporary Ensemble will also perform after the two Rockin’ Axes Groups.
“Bust out your leg warmers, jean jackets and parachute pants for this concert as we try to transport you back 30 years to a time where MTV music videos changed the course of music history and culture,” Sperandeo encouraged audience members, “to a time we can all look back at our hair styles and wardrobe and honestly say, ‘What were we thinking?’”
The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Cole concert Hall is located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
November 22, 2016 - The Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a concert titled “Mystical Travels” when the ensembles perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.
The Symphonic Band will open the first half of the concert with Henry Fillmore’s “Americans We,” conducted by graduate student Dwight Watson of Wylie. Fillmore composed many American marches, but “Americans We” borrows from the sentimental British tune “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms,” which was originally attributed to Irish and Scottish heritage.
The second selection by Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Tamey Anglley, assistant director of bands at SFA, will be Eric Whitacre’s “Sleep,” which began its life as an a cappella choral setting, with an original poem by Charles Anthony Silvestri.
“The chorale-like nature and warm harmonies seemed to call out for the simple and plaintive sound of winds, which makes a gorgeous addition to the wind symphony repertoire,” Anglley said.
The final selection by Symphonic Band will be “Diamond Tide” by Viet Cuong. Written in 2015, Cuong uses innovative percussion techniques and instrumental colors throughout the piece to achieve an alluring imagery, Anglley explained.
The second half of the concert will feature the Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. David Campo, associate director of bands, performing works by Gustav Holst, Alfred Reed and Michael Markowski.
Holst wrote his “1st Suite for Military Band” in 1909, although it did not become part of the repertoire of wind bands until many years later, Campo explained. Holst wrote this cornerstone of band literature at the age of 35; five years later he would begin composing his magnum opus, “The Planets.”
“The suite shows a mastery of orchestration, color and line as it takes us on a journey through emotional connections ranging from valor to despair,” Campo said. Cast in three movements, Holst noted, “As each movement is founded on the same phrase, it is requested that the ‘Suite’ shall be played right through without a break.”
A prolific composer, Reed penned more than 200 published works for concert band, orchestra, chorus and chamber ensembles. The Wind Symphony will perform his “Rosalind in the Forest of Arden.”
The concert ends with Markowski’s “Instinctive Travels.”
“Markowski’s musical compositions resonate with today’s audiences because of the cross-generational influences that have shaped this young composer’s mind,” Campo said. “He can combine the wittiness of a Gilbert & Sullivan patter song with the insightful social justice message of hip hop; he can meld a Broadway torch song with the smack of a viral video’s irreverent criticism.
“You may hear a hint of John Adams, Frank Ticheli or John Mackey in Markowski’s music, but don’t discount the likely influences of A Tribe Called Quest, Judy Garland or even Max Weinberg,” he added. “While along for the ride, ‘Instinctive Travels’ might just intersect with any and all of these perennial performers.”
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
November 18, 2016 Nacogdoches, Texas — SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., in Nacogdoches. Dr. David Creech, SFA Gardens director, will present “SFA Gardens: Is this Garden Adventure Out of Control or Is there a Well Thought Out Plan?”
Creech’s annual year-in-review lecture will lead the audience through the highlights of the past year — plants, people and plans — and will aim to educate, entertain and enlighten. Additionally, he’s promised to make an announcement that will leave everyone smiling.
Creech has been at SFA since 1978 and is director and founder of the SFA Mast Arboretum, Ruby Mize Azalea Garden and Gayla Mize Garden. He also co-directs the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.
Creech received his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in horticulture from Texas A&M University and his master’s degree from Colorado State University. His research efforts have focused on blueberry germplasm and production studies, alternative crops and technology, crop nutrition and evaluation of new plant materials for the South. He and his wife, Janet, are both active gardeners and love to travel.
The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month at the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture’s SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center. A rare plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series Fund are appreciated.
Parking is available at the nearby Raguet Elementary School, 2428 Raguet St., with continual shuttle service to the Brundrett Conservation Education Building.
For more information, call SFA Gardens at (936) 468-1832 or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
November 17, 2016 NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Braille and Cane Club will host a Christmas party for area public school students with visual impairments from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in SFA’s Baker Pattillo Student Center Regent’s Suite B, located on the second floor of the student center.
This annual event will include shopping for holiday gifts, lunch, decorating ornaments and games.
SFA Braille and Cane Club historian Gail Avey said the event’s goal is to “spread holiday cheer.”
“This event is important because it allows children who are visually impaired to have an experience they wouldn't normally get, and it is important for SFA students because it gives them the opportunity to work with children who are visually impaired,” Avey said.
More than 40 SFA students will be participating in the event. The Braille and Cane Club is a student-governed organization that strives to bring awareness about visual impairments to the public.
For more information about the event, contact Michael Munro, instructor in SFA’s Department of Human Services, at (936) 468-1036 or munromicha@sfasu.edu.
November 17, 2016 - The Stephen F. Austin State University SFA Gardens will host a garden seminar, “Deck the Halls: Using Evergreens to Decorate for the Holidays,” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.
Evergreen branches and garlands once served as symbols of enduring life and a fruitful year to come. Join Dawn Stover, research associate at SFA Gardens, to learn how to create elegant wreaths and garlands using materials from the garden.
Participants will learn principles of wreath, garland and centerpiece construction and make a wreath to enjoy and take home for the holidays.
In addition to the traditional wreaths and garlands, Stover will introduce new crafts using natural items from the garden and forest. All materials will be provided.
Class size is limited, so register in advance by calling (936) 468-1832 or emailing sfagardens@sfasu.edu. The cost is $25 for SFA Garden members and $30 for non-members.
November 16, 2016 - Stephen F. Austin State University received the No. 1 ranking from topcounselingschools.org for having the top-value counseling master’s degree in Texas.
Topcounselingschools.org is an organization committed to helping students find the best higher-education counseling programs. The rankings were created using the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs online directory to find accredited counseling programs in Texas.
The top 10-ranked schools were based on program completion rate, job placement rate, licensing exam pass rate, accreditation length, research productivity, and tuition and fees.
Dr. Le’Ann Solmonson, director of SFA’s professional counseling program and professor, said she is thrilled to see this level of recognition for SFA’s program.
“We recognize and take seriously the responsibility of training professional counselors. We have high expectations for our students, and they rise to the challenge,” Solmonson said. “We believe we do an excellent job training counselors. This ranking provides validation to the strength of our program.”
SFA’s 60-hour master’s in professional counseling program includes three degree concentrations: school counseling, clinical mental health counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling. The program is a combination of online and face-to-face courses.
Solmonson boasted the program’s unique philosophy and approach. Students in the three programs take a common set of classes comprising 48 hours and then take 12 hours in their specialization. This arrangement provides students with exposure to all three areas. Regardless of their specialization, students have strong clinical training, Solmonson said.
All three programs lead to the Licensed Professional Counselor credential. The school counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling students also are certified in their specialization, Certified School Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
“The ability to obtain dual credentials is another unique aspect of our program,” Solmonson said. “We have students who have received their degree at other universities and come to us for the additional coursework to get the second credential.”
The program’s size is another feature that sets it apart from competing universities.
“With an enrollment between 65-80 students, we know our students and develop relationships with them. We love watching them grow as people and as professionals,” Solmonson said. “We receive very positive feedback from employer and internship site supervisors and consistently hear that our students stand out.”
November 15, 2016 – The Wind Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will present an “Autumn Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.
“This concert is the culmination of our fall rehearsals,” said Fred J. Allen, director of bands at SFA. “It features various styles of music.”
Among the featured works will be “Kingfishers Catch Fire” by American composer John Mackey.
“The piece captures the beauty of the colorful kingfisher bird,” said Allen. “It is in two movements: a slow brooding opening, followed by an exciting fast movement that pictures the birds taking flight.”
Dr. Tamey Anglley, assistant director of bands at SFA, will serve as guest conductor on Percy Grainger’s “Children’s March.”
A piece for brass by Baroque Italian composer Giovanni Gabrieli will open the concert, followed by “Serenade” by Richard Straus, which is primarily for woodwinds, Allen said.
Also on the program will be pieces by John Philip Sousa and Johann Sebastian Bach.
The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
November 11, 2016 - The Sampson Brothers, a Native American dance duo, will perform native dances for the Stephen F. Austin State University and Nacogdoches communities twice Wednesday, Nov. 16, first at noon in the plaza outside of the Baker Pattillo Student Center and again at 7 p.m. in the student center Grand Ballroom.
The event was created and will be hosted by the SFA Office of Multicultural Affairs to celebrate and acknowledge Native American tribes, their heritage and their history.
“The idea for the event came from the need to represent all racial and ethnic groups, as well as host an event that acknowledges and applauds the roots, culture, existence and contributions of the Native American people,” said Dr. Griselda Flores, OMA assistant director.
According to their website, the Sampson Brothers strive to promote cultural pride, unity and hope through setting a positive example through art, education and dance. They hope to give back to their tribe and the indigenous community as a whole by breaking stereotypes and creating opportunities for generations to come.
“Attendees should expect to be educated and entertained about aspects of the Native American culture, as well as participate in live dancing,” Flores said. “The purpose of the event is to remind others that Native Americans are still here. And because Nacogdoches is a city whose citizens share pride in the city’s history, this is a nice opportunity for the community and campus to embrace the native history of not only Nacogdoches but America.”
The Sampson Brothers’ performances are free to attend.
For more information, visit the OMA website at www.sfasu.edu/multicultural.
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