Everything Nac

The Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association will host a breakfast fit for hungry Lumberjacks from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in front of City Hall, 202 E. Pilar St., in downtown Nacogdoches.

In conjunction with the 2014 Homecoming festivities, a buffet of flapjacks and special toppings will be cooked and served by the Nacogdoches Kiwanis Club. Kids can enjoy pancake decorating, coloring books and photos with the SFA Lumberjack and Ladyjack mascots and other spirit team members.

Flapjacks are free for all Homecoming 5K runners. Cost for other attendees will be $6 per person.

For more information, contact the SFA Alumni Association at (936) 468-3407 or visit www.sfaalumni.com.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association rubber ducks are ready to dash at the 2014 Homecoming Duck Dash slated for noon Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Ag Pond, located near Homer Bryce Stadium on campus.

The 24th annual Duck Dash features toy ducks racing on a specialized course to claim prizes, while raising funds for the SFA Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Ducks may be sponsored for $5 each or six ducks for $25. The deadline for sponsoring a duck is Saturday, Oct. 24. Prizes include: $1,000 cash for first place, $500 cash for second place and $250 cash for third place. Winners do not have to be present to receive prizes. The top-selling organization will receive $500 toward the scholarship of its choice.

Proceeds from the Duck Dash and other Homecoming events like the online auction, benefit drawing, disc golf tournament, certified 5K run, alumni golf tournament and more, support the SFA Alumni Scholarship Fund. The SFA Alumni Association encourages everyone to participate. The scholarship fund serves as a valuable resource for current and future Lumberjacks.

For more information or to sponsor a duck, please contact the SFA Alumni Association at (936) 468-3407 or visit www.sfaalumni.com.

The all-new Rockin’ Axes ensembles, products of the Sound Recording Technology program in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music, will perform their first concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The Rockin’ Axes will pay tribute to the music of The Beatles in this first concert, according to Andrew Sperandeo, adjunct faculty member in the School of Music and director of the Rockin’ Axes.

“This is the inaugural semester of these ensembles,” Sperandeo said. “We’ve reached a point in which the study of music at the university level can and does go beyond traditional areas and genres of music. The goal of such an ensemble and program is to attract students who see the benefit of being a truly well-rounded musician.”

Sperandeo sees today’s music student as not only wanting to be able to play many styles well on their instrument, but also wanting to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for other important elements of music and the industry as it currently exists, including sound recording and the business side of being successful in this industry, he explained.

“As the industry evolves, so should the student and the education he/she receives in order to be truly prepared for whatever experiences might befall them when they graduate,” he said.

Music of The Beatles was chosen as this semester’s concert program because 2014 is the 50th anniversary of the English rock band’s “U.S. Invasion,” Sperandeo said.

“And, they’re considered one of the most influential groups on popular music over the last 50 years,” he said. “Patrons will get to experience the sights and sounds of one of the greatest rock n’ roll groups of all time being performed by the two Rockin’ Axes ensembles. The arrangements tie in the traditional ‘Beatles sound’ with some more contemporary styles and textures.”

The music of Elvis Presley was selected for next semester’s Rockin’ Axes concert because Elvis is considered the “King Of Rock n’ Roll” and, similarly, has influenced a great number of musicians and styles of music to date, Sperandeo 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.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the A Cappella Choir performing its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The choir will perform “Zigeunerlieder” (Gypsy Songs) by Johannes Brahms, Gioacchino Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle, and “A Drop in the Ocean” by Ériks Ešenvalds, according to Tim King, director of choral activities at SFA.

“To vocalists, and particularly choral singers, Brahms is a most beloved composer,” King said. “He composed three monumental choral suites, ‘Liebeslieder Waltzer’ (Love-song waltzes), ‘Neue Liebeslieder’ and ‘Zigeunerlieder.’ When one speaks solely of the choral genre, ‘Zigeunerlieder’ is a masterpiece.”

Late in his life, the operatic composer Rossini composed one setting of the Mass, the Petite messe solennelle.

“His setting of Cum Sancto Spiritu from the Gloria movement is truly an operatic finale … an exciting work,” King said.

“A Drop in the Ocean” is a new work by young composer Ešenvalds. The piece is dedicated to the memory of Mother Teresa and takes its inspiration from The Lord’s Prayer, St. Francis of Assisi, Psalm 55 and the words of Mother Teresa, according to King.

“This is an absolutely stunning work showing not only the composer’s lyrical quality but also the use of vocal techniques portraying the ocean,” he said.

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.