“Music of the East,” the third of four concerts included in the 2012 Chamber Music in the Pines Festival, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, in Cole Concert Hall. The festival is a joint presentation of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music.
Guest marimba artist Brain Zator, associate professor music and the director of percussion at Texas A&M University-Commerce, will be one of the featured musicians during SFA’s “Music of the East” concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, in Cole Concert Hall.
“Japanese music is very prominent in percussion, and specifically marimba, literature,” said Harris. “This concert will showcase a great variety of Eastern musical styles and colors through the marimba, flute and an assortment of other percussion instruments.”
In particular, the musicians will perform works by famed Japanese composers Minoru Miki and Keiko Abe, who is also a world-renowned marimba artist.
A student of Abe’s, Zator has performed as a marimba/percussion soloist or ensemble director at six Percussive Arts Society International Conventions; abroad in Brazil, Japan and Australia; and at conventions of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and College Band Directors National Association.
“Brian has passionately studied Japanese marimba music—specifically the compositions of Minuro Miki for many years,” Harris said. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to share the stage with him and bring him to SFA.”
The Chamber Music in the Pines Festival will conclude with a 2:30 p.m. concert, “Music of the West,” on Sunday, Aug. 19, followed by a public reception sponsored by the SFA Friends of Music.
Each of the concerts will be presented in Cole Concert Hall of the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive on the SFA campus.
Tickets to each concert are $10 for adults, $7.50 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.
