Everything Nac

The Red Mountain Trio will perform at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, in the Music Recital Hall in the Wright Music Building on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.

The string ensemble features M. Brent Willians, violin; Daphne Gerling, viola; and Katherine Decker, cello. Their program will include “Introduction to the Dance” by C.M. von Weber, arranged by J.W. Kalliwoda; Serenade in C Major, op. 10 for violin, viola, and cello by Ernst von Dohnanyi; “Three Rags for Violin and Cello” by William Ryden; and String Trio in G Major, op. 9 no. 1 by Ludwig van Beethoven.
“We are so pleased that these wonderful musicians were able to include us on their tour of Texas universities this month,” said Dr. Jennifer Dalmas, associate professor of violin and viola at SFA. “Our string students will also benefit from master classes that afternoon between 1 and 3 p.m. at the music school.” The classes are open to the public.

Williams is assistant professor of violin and viola at Fort Lewis College, on the faculty at the Music in the Mountains Conservatory, and concertmaster of the San Juan Symphony. A dedicated chamber musician, he is the violinist of the Inverness Chamber Players and violinist/violist of enhakē, with whom he won the grand prize at the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition, first prize at the 3rd International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition, and was a finalist at the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan.

Gerling is senior artist teacher of viola and chamber music and associate director of the Summer String Institute at the University of North Texas, where she has taught since 2011. Her performances and teaching engagements have taken her across the United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, England, Germany, Honduras, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal and Vietnam. She has been a guest performer and master teacher at 30 universities around the country and abroad. She appears with Dallas’ Chamber Music International and Art Music series, as well as Sounds Modern in Fort Worth.

Decker, assistant professor of cello at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, has performed at the Texas Music Festival (quartet artist in residence), Round Top, Meadowmount, and the Miami Quartet’s Advanced String Quartet Seminar. As an orchestral musician, she has played with the Tallahassee, Columbus, Elgin, Albany symphony orchestras. She is also a member of the award-winning ensemble, enhakē. As a member of the Eppes String Quartet, she performed throughout the United States and in Costa Rica.

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.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present Paul Adam Levy’s one-act play “Thank You For Protesting” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 14, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.

Directed by Mesquite senior theatre major Taylor Solice, “Thank You For Protesting” is a satire about a citizen’s right to protest.

“When a local government worker is tasked with replacing ‘a thing’ with another ‘thing,’ a nearby resident takes it upon herself to put a stop to it,” Solice said in describing the play.

The cast includes Cypress freshman Crayten Clendion as the resident; Hillister freshman Matthew Dean as the worker; El Campo freshman Cameron Wall as the protester; and Waller freshman Cassidy Kelly as the boss.

The production staff includes Nicole Freyer, Corpus Christi senior, as stage manager; Isabel McNeil, Houston junior, scenic designer; Madison Rey, Mesquite senior, costume designer; Shelby Peterson, San Antonio junior, lighting designer; Maggie Strain, Port Aransas senior, sound designer; and Marian Midgett, Waco junior, properties designer.

Along with prior directing projects, Solice has acted on SFA’s Mainstage and Downstage productions. She is primarily a props master, having performed that role for 10 productions while at SFA. Solice will serve as props master for the upcoming School of Theatre presentation of “Mr. Burns” by Anne Washburn.

Faculty production advisor for “Thank You For Protesting” is Dr. Inga Meier.

The Downstage Theatre is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $4. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present the Swingin’ Axes and Swingin’ Aces jazz bands performing at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The program will showcase a mix of classic and swing jazz favorites, according to Dr. Deb Scott, director of the Swingin’ Axes.

The Axes’ program includes “April in Paris” as performed by Count Basie, “Greasy Sack Blues” as recorded by the Woody Herman Big Band, “All of Me,” arranged by Billy Byers, “Sama De Haps” by Mark Taylor and “Tenderly,” arranged by Mark Taylor.

“Minnie the Moocher” as recorded by Cab Calloway, and “I Get a Kick Out of You” as recorded by Frank Sinatra will feature Barry Martin on vocals. Martin, a senior percussion major, recently completed a summer stint performing with the 2017 Disneyland All-American College Band on both percussion and vocals.

“We will also perform ‘Down to the Nightclub’ by Stephen Kupka, Emlio Castillo and David Garibaldi, arranged by Paul Murtha,” Scott said. “This was recorded by Tower of Power.”

The Swingin’ Aces, directed by Dr. J.D. Salas, will perform music recorded by Woody Herman, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton.

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.

Uber, a national ride-hailing service common in larger cities, debuted in Nacogdoches Wednesday on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

State representatives and SFA officials shared their excitement about the economic boost and personal services the company will provide Nacogdoches residents and SFA students.

“Today is an exciting day for Stephen F. Austin State University as well as the city and county of Nacogdoches,” Sen. Robert Nichols told the crowd gathered under the trees of the SFA Baker Pattillo Student Center plaza. “I want to thank Uber for coming to Texas, for investing in Texas and bringing their business model to our state. It’s a very valuable service that is going to provide jobs to young people as well as middle-aged and older individuals. It’s a service that’s greatly needed, particularly in a college town.”

Dr. Baker Pattillo, university president, as well as campus and government officials spoke during this event.

“I am looking forward to Uber providing jobs for our SFA students,” Pattillo said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for our students to have a part-time job and to set their own hours.”

Rep. Travis Clardy also spoke Wednesday of his excitement to have Uber in Nacogdoches and of Nichols’ work and his own assistance in the passage of House Bill 100, which created statewide regulations that enabled ride-hailing companies to offer services in Texas cities.

“Senator Nichols is exactly right — this is great for our students and for student employment, but it really does affect another significant population in our city,” Clardy said, “and that’s our elderly. It will help them become re-engaged in our community. This is something good for us all, the young and old, visitors and residents in Nacogdoches.”

Chris Miller, Uber’s Texas public policy manager, thanked government and campus officials for their assistance in establishing Uber in Nacogdoches.

“Any time Uber comes into a city, what we like to do is look to start a strong partnership, and we believe we started a strong partnership here today with Stephen F. Austin State University,” Miller said. “Senator Nichols has been working on this [legislative] issue for more than four years, and it’s not hyperbole to say without his help this session, HB 100 would not have passed, and we would not be here today.”

Uber officially began its services in Nacogdoches Wednesday afternoon. Clardy and Nichols were the first to hail an Uber when they ceremoniously entered a vehicle at the event’s close.

To use Uber, download the company’s app on Android or iPhone. A special promotion is being offered during the next few weeks. Local users may enter the promotional code “Nacogdoches” in their Uber app to receive a discount. First-time users will receive a free ride up to $15.

By Christine Broussard, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.