Everything Nac

A drumstick and mallet company has made a generous donation to the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music and its percussion program, providing a valuable resource for students.

Vic Firth Inc. has donated several thousand dollars of sticks, mallets, brushes and timpani sticks to the SFA Percussion Studio, making it possible for students in the percussion program to try different types of mallets and sticks at any time, according to Brad Meyer, director of percussion studies at SFA.

The donation allows students to experiment using a variety of mallets in class and during lessons and practice sessions instead of having to wait until February when their traditional opportunity for such experimentation occurs in the vendor area at the Texas Music Educators Association’s annual conference in San Antonio, Meyer explained.

“Being able to make musical choices regarding the implements students use in solo and ensemble compositions is crucial in developing their personal, musical voice,” Meyer said. “Now, students have this new resource – the SFA Percussion Studio Mallet Library – to help them achieve their full potential as musicians and music educators.”

Vic Firth’s donation amounted to more than 200 pairs of sticks and mallets. Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Boston, Mass., the company bills itself as the world’s largest manufacturer of drum sticks and mallets, which are made in Newport, Maine.

“No other university in the United States has such a wide selection of implements at its programs’ or students’ disposal,” Meyer said.

Faculty members of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will be the featured performers during the annual Pi Kappa Lambda Music Faculty Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

“This concert showcases the talents of our diverse faculty,” said Deborah Dalton, SFA associate professor of voice and president of the local chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society.

“In addition, all proceeds benefit the Pi Kappa Lambda scholarship we give each year to the sophomore music major with the highest grade point average,” Dalton said. “For the past few years, awards were given to several sophomores with 4.0 grade-point averages.”

From Beethoven to Gershwin
The musicians have selected a wide range of musical styles and will perform in a variety of solo and ensemble settings.

Among the composers’ works to be performed are Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, George Gershwin, John Duke and David Gillingham.

Faculty vocalists to perform include mezzo-sopranos Nita Hudson and Deborah Dalton, soprano Charlotte Davis, tenor Tod Fish and baritone Chris Turner. Also performing will be pianists Mario Ajero, Mary Cooper, Geneva Fung and Ron Petti, along with Brad Meyer, marimba; Cheyenne Bland Cruz and Christopher Ayer, clarinets; Staci Spring, bassoon; Christina Guenther, flute; John W. Goodall, oboe; Charles Gavin, horn; Gary Wurtz and Justin Wood, trumpets; and Larry Greer, guitar.

“This is one of the most popular concerts of the year because there is truly something for everyone,” Dalton said.

The program features a variety of songs, ranging from Beethoven’s Sonata in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2 to Gershwin’s popular “Summertime.”

The recital is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and is a part of the 2014-2015 Cole Performing Arts Series. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building at 2210 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.