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NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – Tickets are now available for “All That Jazz,” a fundraising concert being presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music and Friends of Music at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Guest percussionist Marcus Reddick will perform with SFA’s Swingin’ Axes and Swingin’ Aces in “All That Jazz,” a fundraising concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in Cole Concert Hall. The event will benefit the SFA Jazz Scholarship Endowment.

The event benefits the SFA Jazz Scholarship Endowment.

“Jazz is the quintessential American music,” said Bill Elliott, Friends of Music board member. “Our two jazz bands offer not only a great entertainment value to our community, but their reputation attracts the high quality students that the music department needs.

“I support them through my attendance and contributions to the scholarship program,” he said. “It’s a great value.”

Reddick is director of percussion studies in the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., where he teaches applied percussion, percussion ensemble, percussion techniques and courses in music theory, orchestration, musicianship and jazz appreciation as well as assisting with the Mercer Wind and Jazz Ensembles. He has toured extensively and performed around the world as a solo artist, a chamber musician and as a member of numerous ensembles.

Among the favorite pieces to be performed by the Swingin’ Axes are “Ya Gotta Try” by Sammy Nestico, “A Foggy Day” by George Gershwin and “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Louis Prima, according to Gary Wurtz, director.

The Swingin’ Aces will perform such big band favorites as “Sentimental Journey,” by Les Brown, “In the Mood” by Joe Garland and “Satin Doll” by Duke Ellington, according to Deb Scott, director.

“The Swingin’ Aces have been working very hard on learning some of the standard big band songs like ‘Dancing in the Dark’ and ‘Shanty Town,’” Scott said. “They are very challenging to students who aren’t familiar with them, but they are doing a great job and having fun, too.”

Tickets are $25 each, but because it is a scholarship fundraiser, donations above the ticket price are appreciated, according to Shirley Watterston, Friends of Music committee member helping to organize the event.

For more information about “All That Jazz” or to purchase tickets, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – The Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Music and the Cole Performing Arts Series will present “Music for the Horn: Award-winning Horn Soloist Heidi Lucas in Concert” in a guest recital at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Cole Concert on the SFA campus.

Heidi Lucas, professor of horn at the University of Southern Mississippi, will appear in a guest recital at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Cole Concert Hall as part of the Cole Performing Arts Series of the SFA School of Music.

Gavin will join Lucas to perform a set of songs by Johannes Brahms that has been arranged for two horns and piano.
In addition to her extensive chamber music experience, including residencies and tours throughout New England, England, Brazil and as part of the Brevard College’s Eric Ewazen Residency, Lucas is currently a member of the Southern Arts Brass Quintet and Category Five, the faculty ensembles at USM. She works with the USM horn students in a variety of horn-related courses, including horn pedagogy, horn literature, horn choir, chamber music and horn jazz. She also conducts the USM Brass Ensemble.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, call (936) 468-6407.