The Stephen F. Austin State University bands will present a free “Concert in the Park” at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the wooded area between the Baker Pattillo Student Center and the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.
Beginning at 1 p.m., Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, honorary band service fraternity and sorority, will be selling $5 hamburger plates that include a hamburger, chips and a drink.
The annual concert will feature all four bands, and John L. Whitwell, director of bands at SFA from 1987 to 1993, will be honored with an induction into the SFA Band Directors Hall of Fame. Whitwell is retired from his position as director of bands at Michigan State University, where he taught after leaving SFA.
The University Band will open the concert with Rick Kirby’s “American Fanfare,” directed by graduate assistant Corey Daniel of Pineville, La. Dr. David W. Campo, SFA associate director of bands, will then conduct the band in performing John Philip Sousa’s “Washington Post” march.
The Symphonic Band will perform Thomas Allen’s gallop, “Whip and Spur,” under the direction of Brett A. Richardson, SFA assistant director of bands.
The Wind Symphony, also conducted by Campo, will present Leroy Anderson’s “Bugler’s Holiday,” Bob Lowden’s arrangement of “Armed Forces Salute” and Henry Fillmore’s “The Klaxon.”
The Wind Ensemble will close the concert. Under the direction of Fred J. Allen, SFA director of bands, the band will perform “The Magic of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” a collection of hit songs from the musicals by the famous British composer.
Henderson graduate student Michelle King will then conduct Leonard Bernstein’s “Slava!” and Whitwell will guest conduct Percy Grainger’s “Irish Tune from the County Derry.”
The annual concert, which was created by SFA Director of Bands Emeritus Melvin B. Montgomery in 1976, remains a popular family-friendly event for the community, said Allen. “Join us for some great music and fellowship. We provide seating, but feel free to bring your own lawn chair or blanket.”
In case of inclement weather, the concert will be presented in Room 121 of the Wright Music Building.
“Concert in the Park” is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. For more information, please call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.
