Everything Nac

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music’s Percussion Ensemble will perform its annual fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The 14-member ensemble is comprised of graduate and undergraduate music majors and is directed by Brad Meyer, SFA interim director of percussion studies.

“The concert is sure to appeal to any type of listener,” Meyer said. “Compositions will range from bombastic and raucous drum music to light and delicate keyboard pieces.”

James Campbell’s “Terra-Cotta Warriors” illustrates the massive underground clay army built for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. A trio of percussionists performing Campbell’s composition will play various exotic instruments, such as terra-cotta pots, bull roar and ocean harp. “Doors,” written by Dave Hall, is a large ensemble, utilizing almost the entire group of percussionists and involves Caribbean steel drums.

Meyer described “Metroplex Drive” by Swedish composer Anders Astrand as “a grooving tune” loosely based around jazz chord structures. The piece will feature Austin senior David Conger and Wylie junior Rachel Krevat as vibraphone soloists.

Scott Harris, interim director of the SFA School of Music, will guest conduct Christopher Deane’s “The Manes Scroll,” which utilizes melodic percussion instruments, such as marimba, vibraphone and crotales, and is “a sonic masterpiece with varying layers of depth and intensity,” Meyer said.

“Also, the percussion ensemble will be performing Deane’s contemporary and powerful piece ‘Parallel Isometry,’ which utilizes intense blocks of sound created by both drum and keyboard instruments,” Meyer said. “Lastly, Brett William Dietz’s ‘Fanfare for the Return of Shadow’ clashes eight percussionists playing drums and cymbals against each other in a multi-meter brawl for sonic dominance.”

The Percussion Ensemble’s performance is part of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music’s Concert Series. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Nacogdoches Naturally will sponsor a Family Outdoor Adventure at Stephen F. Austin State University’s Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 3.

“Meet the Creepy Crawlers” is a fun event that provides an opportunity to learn about forest animals that slither, creep and crawl. There will be live animals, “creepy crawler” crafts and a guided safari hike.

“Families will get a close-up look at worms, bees, snakes and insects,” says Kerry Lemon, project director of Nacogdoches Naturally. “By introducing some of the most misunderstood woodland creatures in safe and non-threatening ways, we hope to cultivate a greater appreciation for these animals. There is so much fascinating information to be learned about the natural world.”

Education and increased familiarity through these types of family events can raise the comfort level for families as they pursue outdoor experiences, Lemons said. Quoting from Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods,” she added, “It’s a good thing to learn more about nature in order to share this knowledge with children; it’s even better if the adult and child learn about nature together. And it’s a lot more fun.”

Nacogdoches Naturally Family Outdoor Adventures is a project sponsored by SFA Gardens and is partially funded through a More Kids in the Woods grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-U.S. Forest Service. Activities are designed to cultivate outdoor skills and an awareness of forest ecology with the goal of families developing lifetime enjoyment of the natural world. Programs are family friendly and appropriate for all ages.

Cost for the event is $10 per family. For more information, call (936) 468-5586 or lemonkb@sfasu.edu.