Two guests artists to perform recitals at SFA

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will welcome two guest artists who will perform recitals as part of the Cole Performing Arts Series.

Mark Hughes, principal trumpet with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, will perform a recital of music for trumpet and piano at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, while Conor Nelson, assistant professor of flute at Bowling Green State University, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14. Both concerts will be held in Cole Concert Hall.

Hughes is presently in his second season as principal trumpet with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. He came to the Houston Symphony from the Atlanta Symphony, where he had been the associate principal trumpet for 12 years. Prior to his Atlanta Symphony appointment, Hughes toured for Columbia Artists Management with the popular organ and trumpet duo, “Toccatas and Flourishes.” While on the SFA campus, Hughes will teach a masterclass for trumpet students earlier that same day.

Nelson gave his New York recital debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and has since appeared frequently as soloist and recitalist throughout the United States and abroad. As a chamber musician, he performs with marimbist/percussionist Ayano Kataoka as part of the Conor and Ayano Duo.

Nelson’s program at SFA will consist of Franz Schubert’s “Trockne Blumen Variations” – one of the most significant works for flute from the Romantic Period. Accompanying Nelson will be SFA faculty member and pianist Geneva Fung.

Joining Nelson and Fung in selections from Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Musical Offering” will be SFA Associate Professor of Flute Christina Guenther. Also on the program is the ever-popular “Poem” by American composer Charles Griffes.

“Griffes is the most famous American representative of the Impressionist Period,” Guenther said, “and this piece very much features a French influence.”

The program also features the work of French composer Henri Dutilleux.

Tickets for each recital are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407.