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The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the SFA Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Brad Meyer, performing its annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The concert – “Pieces for a Crowded Stage” – is so titled because all the compositions being performed are either for small chamber ensembles (five performers or less) or use multiple performers playing on one instrument, according to Meyer.

“‘Trio per Uno’ by Nebojša Zivkovic is an exciting and raucous trio that has all three performers surrounding a single concert bass drum played horizontally,” Meyer explained. “Each player performs interlocking rhythms between the shared bass drum and the metal instruments located between the players.”

John Tadlock, sophomore music education major, will be the featured, marimba soloist on Andy Harnsberger’s “Palmetto Moon.” Harnsberger describes the piece by saying, “imagine yourself on a beach with your favorite person in the world. The moon is out, the stars are bright and you can hear the water rolling into the shore.”

Another selection, “Dopplegänger,” by Brian S. Mason, is “sure to leave the audience in chills” with its rhythmically driving marimba parts played by six percussionists on two marimbas facing each other, Meyer said. Other percussionists play bongos and act out a rhythmic battle between each other, which includes combative gestures.

Also on the program is Mark Ford’s “Stubernic,” which is a marimba trio played on one marimba. Meyer commented, “the piece will finish the concert off with its high intensity and exhilarating theatrics as the musicians try to avoid each other while rapidly rotating around the instrument.”

To find out more information about the SFA Percussion Studio, visit/subscribe/”like” their online presence at:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/SFAPS
• Website: www.Brad-Meyer.com/sfa
• Twitter/Instagram/Vine/Tumbler/Pinterest: SFAPercStudio

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 Wind Symphony, under the direction of David W. Campo, will present “Stars and Dreams – Music of the Spheres” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and will feature the world premiere a selection commissioned to honor Fred J. Allen, director of bands at SFA.

“About a year ago, I approached composer L. Mark Lewis with the idea of a commission in honor of Mr. Allen,” Campo said. “Considering Mr. Allen’s significant contribution to Texas music education, coupled with the fact that he has just celebrated his 20th year at Stephen F. Austin State University, I thought it was important to mark this occasion with a work that celebrates this contribution.”
Based on Allen’s best-known work, “They Led My Lord Away,” Lewis’ “Tell Me Where” is essentially a set of variations based on the well-known melody.
“The shifting colors and textures create a work of introspection and serene peace – a perfect tribute to my friend, Fred, and a fitting tribute to this great musician and educator,” Campo said.
The Wind Symphony will also perform Allen’s beautiful setting of the spiritual “When the Stars Began to Fall.” Completed in 1992, the composer dedicates the piece to his mother, Doris Allen.
Opening the concert will be Robert Jager’s rousing march “Stars and Bars” followed by Timothy Mahr’s “Daydream,” composed in 1989 for the St. Olaf College Band. James Barnes’ “Dream Journey,” which was commissioned by the Austin ISD for the 25th anniversary of their All-City Honor Band, will also be performed.

Closing the concert is David Maslanka’s “Morning Star,” commissioned by the Grand Ledge, Michigan High School Wind Symphony, Michael Kaufman, conductor, and premiered in May of 1997.
The composer states, “Morning Star is about beginnings: the dawning of a new day, the opening of a new hall, the beginning of adult life for the young people who premiered the piece, and for those who are playing it now.”
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.