Everything Nac

The Rockin’ Axes at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a concert featuring popular songs from different time periods when the student ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

A student group within the School of Music’s Sound Recording Technology program, the Rockin’ Axes is directed by Nick Lambson, SRT faculty member.

“Students suggested and voted on these songs, including my selections, so there is no real theme,” Lambson explained. “Instead, we made sure to cover a number of sub-genres and songs from different time periods.”

Lambson said he also chose songs and assigned parts that would challenge specific students or that would allow them to develop their strengths. Among the selections are “Supermassive Blackhole” by Muse, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana and “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin.

“We chose one song by Muse that uses a custom guitar with a built-in electronic music controller, which one of the students recently purchased,” he said. “We also chose ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ because of the recent biopic, but also because it’s a classic.”

A student composition, “Through the Dark,” co-written by SRT major Chance Hill and student Vic Odom, will be featured. “They have worked hard and gone above and beyond by doing a recording of it, and we’re excited for the world premiere,” Lambson said.

Lambson also promised a surprise. “Without giving anything away, there will be a special encore …,” he said.

The concert is a presentation of the 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. Follow the ensemble on Facebook at The Rockin’ Axes of SFA State University.

Stephen F. Austin State University music composition major Jesse Edwards has garnered another award in a prestigious national competition for one of his original orchestral scores.

For the third year, The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) conducted a nationwide search to name the three winners in the PYO Young Composers Competition. Edwards, a Tyler senior, earned second place for his piece “Saturday Afternoon.” This recent recognition adds to the ever-growing list of accolades Edwards has amassed.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by such an amazing ensemble,” Edwards said. “It’s especially exciting for me to be able to share my music with a youth orchestra – the next generation of great musicians.”

Edwards studies with Dr. Stephen Lias, professor of composition at SFA, who described Edwards’ most recent honor as “well-deserved.”

“Jesse is one of those students I never have to push because his hunger for personal and creative growth is so strong,” Lias said. “He has really helped hold the bar high for his colleagues.

“Composers build their reputation by winning competitions,” he added. “The earlier in their career they start doing this, the better for them. So having this on his resume will give Jesse considerable credibility and gravitas as he seeks commissions and applies to graduate programs.”

“Saturday Afternoon” was inspired by one of Edwards’ visits to New York City.

“When my wife lived in New York City, before we were married, I would go up to visit as much as I could,” he said. “We never had very much time together – sometimes just a weekend – so it became a sort of challenge to see how many things we could fit in a day. ‘Saturday Afternoon’ follows the adventures of one such day on a weekend trip during the winter of 2016.”

An internationally performed composer of rising acclaim, Edwards’ newest work, “Mint Chic,” was recently performed at the Alba International Music Festival, in Alba, Italy, by SOLI Chamber Ensemble. Edwards has worked with SFA’s Orchestra of the Pines, Starks Sound, and film director Adam Rothstein to create what has been noted as “accessible,” “well spoken,” and “straightforward” by Italian composer/educator Ferdinando Nazzaro. His music has been performed by the Lemberg Sinfonietta (Lviv, Ukraine), the Phoenix Ensemble (Ukraine), the Hobart Wind Symphony (Tasmania) and by high school and university choirs and bands throughout East Texas.

Lias noted that SFA’s reputation as an institution that provides a quality fine arts education bodes well for the university as it recruits art, music and theatre students.

“The fact that SFA can attract students of Jesse’s quality and nurture their development in a way that bears fruit like this is a testament to the entire College of Fine Arts,” Lias said. “Jesse has collaborated with both the theatre and art programs scoring plays and movies and has spent a semester studying abroad at our partner institution in Hobart, Australia. Although Jesse would have succeeded anywhere, SFA has been an excellent fit and provided him exactly the opportunities he needed to grow into the composer he is today.”

Following graduation in May, Edwards plans to pursue a master’s degree in music composition.

“I’m just looking forward to even more future opportunities like this one that allow me to spread a little more joy and beauty in a world that needs it,” he said.

For more information on Edwards’ music, recordings and videos, visit jesseedwardsmusic.com

Acclaimed as one of today’s leading contemporary Mexican groups, the Villalobos Brothers will bring their high-octane musical fiesta to Nacogdoches when they perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.

The performance is the final show of the SFA College of Fine Arts’ 2018-19 University Series, ending the season in a celebration of Mexican folk music that skillfully blends intricate jazz and classical harmonies and rock-and-roll energy with the traditional sounds of the brothers’ native country, according Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the series.

“I was blown away by the fiery performing style and infectious charm of the Villalobos Brothers when I heard them live,” Shattuck said. “Ever since then, I’ve been dying to bring them from their home base in New York City to SFA and introduce Nacogdoches audiences to the fun and passion they bring to their concerts.”

The ensemble’s virtuosic performances have delighted audiences throughout Latin America, India, Russia and Canada and in more than 30 states across the U.S. They have performed in historic venues and at events including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the New Victory Theatre on Broadway, the Latin Grammy Awards, Montreal Jazz Festival, the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City.

The Villalobos Brothers recently premiered their Symphonic Project, performing sold-out concerts with both the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and the Walla Walla Symphony. The ensemble has collaborated with legendary musicians including Grammy winners Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Ana Tijoux, Antonio Sánchez, Regina Carter, Sierra Hull and Dan Zanes.

In 2013, the Villalobos Brothers won New York’s Ultimate Battle of the Boroughs, a citywide talent contest for bands of all genres and styles. Their album “Somos” will be released this year.

The Villalobos Brothers’ performance in Nacogdoches is sponsored in part by BancorpSouth. Additional show parking will be available at the bank’s North Street location. The College of Fine Arts has partnered with the SFA Office of Multicultural Affairs to promote the show.

“We’re so grateful to BancorpSouth and the rest of our sponsors, advertisers and other partners for making this event possible,” Shattuck said. “Along with them we’re celebrating the diversity and vitality of our campus and the entire Deep East Texas region by welcoming this award-winning group to SFA.”

Prior to the performance, Juan Carlos Urena, professor in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication, will present an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery. The gallery is located across the hall from Turner Auditorium, which is inside the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive. The audience is invited back to the gallery for a post-performance reception to meet the performers and to honor the corporate sponsor.

Single event ticket prices for the University Series are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for non-SFA students/youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the Fine Arts Box Office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

The SFA Friends of Music and School of Music will honor Dr. Jennifer Edwards at Extravaganza 32, Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music’s annual gala banquet. The event is planned for 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, in the Grand Ballroom of SFA’s Baker Pattillo Student Center.

Edwards, a 1967 graduate from the SFA School of Music, retired after an illustrious career as a professor of voice at Kansas State University.

This year’s Extravaganza, “Stars of Tomorrow,” celebrates the 32nd anniversary of the gala and fundraiser, which features gourmet dining, performances by student soloists and ensembles, and the presentation of student awards in an exciting evening of music, according to Dr. Gary Wurtz, director of the SFA School of Music.

“There is no better way to experience a cross section of what the SFA School of Music has to offer than at our annual Extravaganza,” Wurtz said. “While enjoying a good meal, those in attendance hear performances by the top choir, band, orchestra, jazz band, student recitalists, opera performers and more. Our fantastic students provide both dinner music and a dance to end the evening. This is a very unique experience, and one where there is a lot of fun to be had.”

Part music student awards ceremony, part formal dinner, and part musical potpourri, Extravaganza features jazz, wind ensemble, choir, opera, string quartet and orchestra. Additional highlights include awarding Outstanding Music Alumni and Outstanding Recitalists of the Year.

As is tradition with Extravaganza, the music faculty has selected an outstanding music graduate to honor.

“Dr. Edwards had a fantastic career as a vocalist and professor after graduating in 1967,” Wurtz said. “In addition to a sustained teaching career with numerous student successes, she is a renowned recitalist and oratorio soloist who has performed throughout the Midwest.”

Originally from Longview, Edwards went on to get her Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Oregon and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City. For 36 years, she was a beloved voice teacher and taught many voice-related courses at Kansas State University. She also served as chair of the voice division.

A recitalist and oratorio soloist, Edwards has performed throughout the Midwest in appearances with the Dayton Bach Society, The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, The Wichita Symphony Serenade Concerts and The Reno Choral Society. Operatic roles include Cherubino in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro,” the Principessa in Giacomo Puccini’s “Suor Angelica,” Carmen in Georges Bizet’s “Carmen,” and Elizabeth in Robert Ward’s “The Crucible.” She was a member of the ensemble cast of the musical, “Quilters,” a production of Opening Night Theater, which toured for two years throughout the state of Kansas. She also sang the role of the Mother in the same company’s production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”

She has toured with her husband, pianist/organist Robert Edwards, and trumpeter Craig Parker in recitals of music for organ, trumpet and voice. The three have performed in major churches in Colorado Springs, New York City, New Orleans and Topeka.

The Extravaganza 32 committee includes John and Melinda Rohrer, co-chairs, Carolyn King, Caryl Hall, MaryAnn and Farrar Bentley, Kimberly LaGraff, Barb Stump, Shirley Watterston and Marinell Booth.

This year’s Friends of Music officers include Carolyn Andrews, president; Missy DeVine, secretary/treasurer; and Marinell Booth, past president.

“We want to invite everyone to come and celebrate this 32nd Extravaganza with us,” John and Melinda Rohrer said.

Reservations and payments should be made by noon Thursday, April 18.

Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for SFA students. Patron level tickets range in prices from $65 to $140, and donations will be accepted for the Friends of Music scholarship fund. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s horticulture program will host an inaugural plant fair and open house from 5 to 8 p.m. May 3 and 10 a.m. to noon May 4 at the SFA Plantery, located at 1924 Wilson Drive.

The event will feature plants for purchase and educational activities, as well as information regarding how to grow your plants.

“Attendees will experience the floral aromas and vibrant colors of flowers in full bloom at the nursery, greenhouse and garden,” said Stephanie Stevens, a senior mass communication major.

The plant fair is family friendly and will include a photo booth and plant identification, planting, and tea-tasting stations.

“The event’s purpose is to showcase our horticulture program and help attendees cultivate a love for plants,” said Dr. Jared Barnes, assistant professor of horticulture at SFA. “We want to show off our student’s hard work in the greenhouses, as well as all of the opportunities offered through SFA’s agriculture department.”

Plants available for purchase include edibles, such as tomatoes, lettuce and basil, as well as summer annuals, including vinca, zinnia and angelonia. All proceeds support future educational projects in the SFA horticulture program and Horticulture Club.

In addition to this event, Barnes said the horticulture program offers garden volunteer opportunities for the community and work-study opportunities for SFA students. Fresh, student-grown, chemical-free produce also is sold at the SFA Plantery every Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We’d love to help answer any gardening questions guests have and hope this event inspires a love for the Earth and everything on it,” Barnes added.

For more information, contact Barnes at (936) 468-7850 or barnesj@sfasu.edu. The community also may learn more about the horticulture program by visiting HorticultureIsAwesome.com/the-plantery or following @SfaHorticulture on Instagram.