The Steel Band at Stephen F. Austin State University will present its fall concert at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
Directed by Dr. Ben Tomlinson, adjunct professor of percussion in the School of Music, the student ensemble will perform a number of traditional calypso selections from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago and additional tunes from around the world.
Among the works on the program is “Chunk,” a funk tune composed by Oklahoma City-based composer Jamie Wind Whitmarsh. This rendition will include an extended percussion solo to feature the band’s “Engine Room,” which includes drumset and a percussionist playing hand drums and other auxiliary percussion within the Steel Band.
“‘Chunk’ is an upbeat tune with colorful harmonies and rhythms that really challenge the ensemble’s timing and ability to fit in the pocket,” Tomlinson said.
Also on the program is Ray Holman’s “Pan in My System,” which Tomlinson describes as fast and upbeat and “a challenging soca chart that is sure to be a crowd favorite.”
The Steel Band will perform “The Peanut Vendor” by Moisés Simons. The tune has been recorded more than 160 times and has been included in the United States Recording Registry by the National Recording Preservation Board.
“Arranged by ensemble member Ethan Ainsworth, ‘The Peanut Vendor’ is arguably one of the most famous pieces of music to come out of Cuba,” Tomlinson said. “Released in the 1930s, this tune was responsible for ‘rhumbamania’ in the United States, introducing U.S. listeners to Cuban music.” Ainsworth is a senior music major from Hallsville.
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.
