Everything Nac

Princesses from across East Texas are invited to don their best gown and sip tea with old and new friends during the SFA Gardens’ annual Little Princess Tea Party slated for Saturday, March 25, in the Stephen F. Austin State University Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden.

“The tea party introduces people to nature and gardening in a new and enjoyable way. People who might not normally spend time outdoors love coming to the Little Princess Tea Party,” said Elyce Rodewald, tea party organizer and SFA Gardens educational programs coordinator.

One hundred tickets are available and will be split between two tea party sessions. The first session will be at 10 a.m. and the second at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person.

“The tickets sell out very quickly each year,” Rodewald said. “It seems that everyone enjoys dressing up, especially the young princesses. Some spend hours, days or even weeks planning what to wear.”

The tea party isn’t solely about playing dress up, although that is a definite perk for partygoers. The event allows young participants to practice budding social skills, increases time with family members in a fun environment and offers the chance to soak in the beauty of the natural world.

“Children who spend time playing and using their imagination are building important skills for adult life,” Rodewald added. “The tea party also is a wonderful opportunity for children to spend special time with their mom, grandmother or an aunt.”

Princess or fairy apparel is encouraged. Participants will be treated to tea party snacks, music and merriment among the enchanting pines and azaleas. The event is recommended for princesses 3 to 10 years of age, accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased online at sfagardens.sfasu.edu.

For information, call (936) 468-1832 or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present Charlotte Davis performing a faculty voice recital at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Performing with Davis will be Dr. Ron Petti, pianist and director of accompanying for the School of Music.

The program will feature a selection of English songs by John Duke, an aria from the opera “Adriana Lecouvreur,” some Spanish songs by Fernando Obradors, a cycle of children’s songs by French composer Francis Poulenc entitled “La courte paille,” and a set of German songs by Richard Strauss.

Dr. Jennifer Dalmas, associate professor of violin at SFA, will perform on one of the Strauss pieces, “Beim Schlafengehen,” which is from his Four Last Songs.

Davis, a soprano, performs regularly in the East Texas area and is the music director and soloist at Memorial Presbyterian Church in San Augustine. She also teaches music appreciation. She is a member of the East Texas Alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, a member of NATS, and serves on the board of directors of the SFA Music Preparatory Division.

The recital is part of the Cole Performing Arts Series. 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.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Choral Union and Women’s Choir in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The choirs will perform the program “Americana” highlighting works by American composers. An array of American styles, such as jazz, spirituals, Broadway and folk songs will be featured, according to Dr. Tod Fish, associate director of choral activities at SFA and the choirs’ director.

“These are tumultuous times for our country,” Fish said. “Music still brings us all together, despite our differences.”

The Choral Union will perform “Zion’s Walls” by Aaron Copland, “Soon-Ah Will be Done” by William Dawson, and Dan Forrest’s setting of “How Great Thou Art.” The Women’s Choir will sing Kirby Shaw’s arrangement of “When I Fall in Love,” “I Will Be Earth” by Gwyneth Walker, and “I Hear America Singing” by Andre Thomas.

The concert will also feature three graduate conducting students in the School of Music, including Emily Bulling of Katy, Elaina Nordin of Magnolia and Robert Boren of Fate.

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.

Stephen F. Austin State University students studying sports business recently ranked eighth among more than 50 nationwide organizations and universities during the January competition of The Training Game powered by The Sales Huddle Group.

The Training Game is a mobile app designed to train employees using a game format instead of trainers, manuals or webinars. The game uses various modes such as three-minute games, challenges, 20-minute training sessions and more to educate participants. Users can customize the content to reflect their company’s needs and policies.

Dr. Jason Reese, SFA assistant professor in the Rusche College of Business, said he is using the interactive teaching method to help educate students pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in sports business.

“The experience provides students opportunities to learn more about various aspects of sport sales and sales in general. This includes the process they go through when making a sale,” Reese said.

The competition quizzed students on sales-related topics such as principles of sales, asking clients questions, presenting sales material, how to deal with objecting clients and closing the sale. Students competed with employees of professional sports organizations, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, Washington Capitals, Houston Dynamo, Red Bull Arena and others.

“Because our sports business degree program is new, this ranking is a huge accomplishment for our students because it helps them stand out from other programs across the nation,” Reese said.

SFA’s sports business degree program focuses on courses that prepare students for careers in the sports industry, such as sports promotion and sales, sports analytics, sports marketing, sports economics and more. Faculty members create and revise courses by receiving input from industry professionals.

For more information about SFA’s sports business degree program, contact Reese at reesejd1@sfasu.edu.