Everything Nac

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. 11, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the university campus.

A highly anticipated holiday event, the concert will feature the choirs – A Cappella, Choral Union and Women’s Choir – and orchestra performing Act 1 – often referred to as the “Christmas portion” – of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” according to Tim King, director of choral activities for the SFA School of Music and director of the performance.

“Since the early ’80s, the community has been treated to various productions of the ‘Christmas portion,’ or Act 1, of ‘Messiah,'” King said. “Nacogdoches has come to expect it and has eagerly supported the performance as part of their family’s Christmas tradition.”

In recent years, the holiday performance has featured student soloists. This year’s list includes Megan Bennett, Pearland senior; Blake Bridges, Grandbury junior; Justin Dunkle, Wheaton graduate student; Juan Garza, El Paso sophomore; Brenton Mattox, Dayton graduate student; Kelly McAdams, Lufkin junior; Julie Moore, Tyler junior; Reagan Myers, Livingston junior; Rachel Nelson, Rowlett junior; Zach Newman, Baytown senior; Kelsey Quinn, San Antonio senior; Anthony Rodriquez, Houston freshman; Jacqueline Skinner, Cleveland senior; Akeilah Thomas, Lancaster graduate student.

“Almost everyone will recognize all of the songs, for they are played on radio recordings throughout the Christmas season,” King said. “But a few of the big choruses are ‘And the Glory (of the Lord),’ ‘For Unto Us a Child is Born’ and ‘Hallelujah Chorus.'”

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.

The Latin Lumberjacks ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in Cole Concert Hall 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 songs in salsa style.

“The purpose of the Latin Lumberjacks is for these students to be exposed to different rhythm styles that are in salsa music,” Lazareno said. “All styles must be approached with the appropriate concepts and techniques to play them properly.”

The program will feature colorful, happy salsa sounds that highlight the powerful rhythms of cha-cha-cha, bolero, guaguanco, son montuno, bachata and others performed with congas, bongos, maracas, claves and other Latin music instruments as well with trumpets, bass and piano.

Among the pieces to be performed are “Killing Me Softly,” “Stand By Me,” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” made popular by The Beatles, “Bésame Mucho” and a Christmas medley performed with a salsa influence.

The concert is a joint 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 visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.