Everything Nac

Three Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Government professors published the sixth edition of the textbook “Lone Star Politics: Tradition and Transformation in Texas.”

Drs. Steven Galatas and Julie Harrelson-Stephens, associate professors, and Dr. Ken Collier, professor, published the first edition in 2008, and now more than 10 years later the newest edition is on its way to universities across the state.

“We’re especially proud of our textbook because it helps get SFA’s name on campuses throughout the state; particularly two-year colleges where many of our transfer students come from,” Collier said. “We’re happy that students at competing universities are reading our textbook.”

The sixth edition expands its coverage on civil rights and examines the relationship between state and federal and local governments. The textbook is available for purchase through sagepublishing.com or on Amazon.

Story by Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist for Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Friends of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University will host a fundraiser for the School of Music that will give the community and contributors an entertaining “behind-the-scenes” look at the school and its talented faculty and students.

“Up Close and Personal” will be presented from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building on the SFA campus. Beginning with an opening reception in the lobby of Cole Concert Hall, participants will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar and bid on silent auction items.

The Friends of Music have adopted the slogan “Let’s Keep the Music Playing” in an effort to broaden the donor base for the School of Music, to acquaint more people in the community with the outstanding music program and to “demonstrate why we all need to support it,” said Susie Lower, Friends of Music co-chair for fundraising.

“So much of our community is unaware of the excellent reputation our School of Music has throughout the state or how much business it brings to the Nacogdoches area through its many programs, workshops, summer camps and competitions,” said Carolyn Andrews, Friends of Music board present and fundraising co-chair.

Dr. Gary Wurtz, director of the School of Music, and music professors Deborah Dalton, Stephen Lias, Jen Dalmas and Kayla Roth will give interactive presentations that will prove both fun and informative. The SFA Faculty Brass, as well as Dr. Brad Meyer and the Percussion Ensemble, will perform and engage audience members as well.

There is no charge for admission, but donations to “keep the music playing” will be accepted. Reservations and/or credit card donations are accepted by calling (936) 468-6407. Checks should be made payable to SFASU with “Up Close and Personal” in the memo line.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music and the Friends of Music Concert Series will present members of the Texas New Music Ensemble performing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The Houston-based ensemble’s program will focus solely on music written by composers who live and work in Texas, according to Chad Robinson, the ensemble’s artistic director and founder.

The nonprofit Texas New Music Ensemble is “dedicated to the enrichment of Texas communities through the performance of contemporary art music created by Texas composers and performed by Texas musicians,” according to its website at https://tnme.org

Among the works to be showcased is “Whitewater,” composed by Dr. Stephen Lias, professor of composition in the SFA School of Music.

Of his piece, Lias says, “Although I had no extra-musical idea in mind while writing this challenging piano solo, after finishing it, it seemed to evoke the many states of running water – from serene flowing brooks, to foaming rivers rushing over boulders.”

Other works on the program, to be performed by Joanna Becker, violin, and Andrew Schneider, piano, include “Souvenir D’une Fee” by Mei-Fang Lin; “Rhapsody for Violin and Piano” by Peter Lieuwen; the world premiere of Dmitri Shostakovitch’s “Songs by Captain Lebyadkin,” with arrangement by Yevgeniy Sharlat; and Robinson’s own “Violin Sonata.”

In addition to its Nacogdoches concert, the ensemble will perform in Arlington, Dallas and North Richland Hills on this spring’s Texas tour. This is the second consecutive year for the ensemble to perform at SFA.

“We’re thrilled to be returning,” Robinson said.

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.