The SFA Percussion Ensemble and SFA Steel Band, both directed by Dr. Brad Meyer, will perform their annual “Percussion in the Pines” holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Cole Concert Hall on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.
The Percussion Ensemble will play several holiday favorites, including “Deck the Halls,” “Away in a Manger,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Oh Holy Night” and “Silent Night,” according to Meyer, director of percussion studies for the SFA School of Music.
The ensemble’s performance of “The 12 Days of Christmas” is always a “hilarious and exciting way to end the first half of the concert,” Meyer said.
The second half of the concert will feature the SFA Steel Band, also known as the “Jacks of Steel,” performing numerous traditional and contemporary steel band tunes and will culminate in the favorite “Pan Christmas,” Meyer said.
“This concert is a great, annual tradition that gets the university and community ready for the upcoming winter break,” he said. “Audience members are welcome to sing, clap and dance along during the concert.”
For anyone who cannot attend in person, the concert will be streamed live at: www.music.sfasu.edu/stream.php
This year, for the first time, “Percussion in the Pines” will sponsor an “ugly sweater” contest.
“Students and audience members are encouraged to participate by wearing the ugliest, tackiest holiday sweater possible,” Meyer said. “During intermission, we will bring everyone on stage to vote on a winner, and he/she will get a festive percussion gift.”
This concert is a joint presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Music and is part of the Cole Performing Arts Series.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
To find out more information about the SFA Percussion Studio, visit/subscribe/”like” their online presence at:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/SFAPS
• Website: www.Brad-Meyer.com/sfa
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