Everything Nac

Prospective students who apply to Stephen F. Austin State University before Dec. 1 may qualify for a range of benefits not available to those who delay their applications.

The new First-Choice Scholarship priority benefits include receiving early notification of the fall 2015 residence hall assignment, access to a priority sign-up window for summer Orientation, and a $250 credit applied to the fall 2015 bill.

“We are excited about providing some extra benefits to those students who are among the first to let us know they want to be a Lumberjack next year,” said Dr. Steve Westbrook, vice president for university affairs. “Although living on campus is already a proven benefit for our first-year students, the early notification of the residence hall they will be living in, coupled with the $250 credit, recognizes them for making SFA their first choice for college.”

To be eligible for these benefits, prospective students must be admitted to the university, submit their meningitis vaccine records and complete the housing application by Dec. 1. Benefits go into effect once students are notified of eligibility and accept their housing assignment before Jan. 19.

For more information, contact the SFA Office of Admissions at (936) 468-2504 or visit sfasu.edu/admissions/prospective.asp.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present Susetta Dunn Rockett in a guest oboe recital at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Rockett, who teaches at Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons and McMurry universities and has an active freelance career, will perform 19th century and 20th century works for the oboe that reflect various styles of American, British and French composers.

“These works highlight some of the most diverse composers of oboe repertoire,” Rockett said. “The majority of this repertoire is underplayed, and I hope to bring some new life to these forgotten favorites.”

Legend Pastorale from “Scotch Scenes” by Benjamin Godard, Sonata for Oboe and Piano by Gordon Jacob and Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano by Francis Poulenc are among the pieces on the program. Also performing is pianist Geneva Fung, staff accompanist, and Staci A. Spring, bassoon instructor for the SFA School of Music.

“I have enjoyed putting this program together,” Rockett said. “These works for the oboe are all wonderful additions to our repertoire. With the exception of the Poulenc trio, these other pieces often get overlooked, and I see them as vital and important pieces that should not be forgotten. My hope is to encourage younger musicians to seek out and revitalize older works.”

Spring will join Rockett on the Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano. “This is a beloved staple in the repertoire for double-reed players, and it is always a delight for both the performers and the audience,” Rockett said. “It is such a pleasure to come to SFA to perform with my former colleague and good friend Staci Spring. She and I have performed chamber music together on many occasions, and it is wonderful to have the opportunity again.”

Rockett performs with the Abilene Philharmonic and the Lubbock Symphony. She is also a founding member of the Key City Winds based in Abilene.

Tickets for this Cole Performing Arts Series event 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 hospitality administration and visual impairment programs are teaming up to raise awareness for visual impairment at the unique upcoming “Dining in the Dark” event on campus.

The event is meant to raise awareness of those with visual impairments “by taking your taste buds on an unforgettable journey,” according to Dr. Chay Runnels, associate professor of human sciences and coordinator of the hospitality administration program. It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in SFA’s Culinary Café, located in the James I. Perkins College of Education Annex near the intersection of Raguet Street and Starr Avenue on the SFA campus.

“We hope many in the community will join us as our students guide guests through a unique blindfolded dining experience to heighten your senses and help you enjoy great food without sight,” she said.

The event will feature a five-course menu that includes flavors from East Texas and beyond. Each table will have an experienced guide to assist diners throughout the evening.

Proceeds from the event will benefit both the hospitality administration and visual impairment programs at SFA. Tickets are $50, and seating is extremely limited. To register, visit www.sfasu.edu/give and choose “other.” Under “special instructions,” type “Dining in the Dark,” and please indicate seating preferences, such as with whom you would like to dine.

You also may mail a check payable to Stephen F. Austin State University to: SFA Hospitality Program, P.O. Box 6092, SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75962-6092. Please include seating preferences with your mailed payment, as well.

For more information, please contact Runnels at (936) 468-2060 or runnelsc@sfasu.edu.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present music faculty member Carlos Gaviria in a chamber recital at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Gaviria will present “Bass & Co.” and will be joined by colleagues Jennifer Dalmas, violin; Evgeni Raychev, cello; Melissa Nabb, viola; Christina Gunether, flute; and Geneva Fung, piano.

“‘Bass & Co.’ is a play on words to describe chamber music with the double bass, an instrument that is not commonly associated with chamber music,” Gaviria said. “The only piece that comes to mind when thinking of the double bass and chamber music is (Franz) Schubert’s ‘The Trout’ quintet. However, composers have experimented with the low register of the bass and produced a significant output.

“My idea was to introduce to the audience pieces that are not as well-known but are true musical gems and feature the double bass nicely,” he said. “It will be a lot of fun.”

Among the pieces to be performed are Piano Quintet in C minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams; Concertino for Viola, Flute and Double bass by Erwin Schulhoff; “Contrabajeando” by Astor Piazzolla; and “Appalachian Waltz” by Mark O’Connor.

Of the Williams piece, Gaviria said the composition “features lush romantic harmonies and textures, typical of composers of the Romantic period, like (Johannes) Brahms, whom Vaughan Williams admired.” And Concertino for Viola, Flute and Double bass is an “unusual instrumental combination by the Czech composer that explores the timbric characteristics of the instruments while combining them with Czech folk dances,” he added.

Tickets for this Cole Performing Arts Series event 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.