Everything Nac

The bands at Stephen F. Austin State University will present the annual Concert in the Park Sunday, April 23, in the wooded area along Vista Drive and in front of the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus. The concert begins at 2 p.m. and is free to the public.

All four SFA concert bands will perform, including the Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Tamey Anglley, director of bands at SFA; the Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Dan Haddad, associate director of bands; Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Chris Kaatz, assistant director of bands; and University Band, directed by graduate student conductors Christina Colley of Henderson and Amanda Bruner of Little Rock, Arkansas.

A meeting of the Lumberjack Band Alumni Association will take place outside immediately following the concert.

The band service organizations will sell hamburger plates. Cost is $5 per plate.

For additional information, contact the School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

The jazz bands of Stephen F. Austin State University will perform original works by SFA music faculty members, along with the music of Sammy Nestico, Duke Ellington and other jazz greats, in a concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, in Cole Concert Hall.

The Swingin’ Axes, directed by Dr. JD Salas, will perform “Ymir’s Bones” by Dr. Ben Morris, assistant professor of composition, from Morris’ debut album, “Pocket Guides,” released in June 2022 on Origin/OA2 Records.

“The work takes elements from Norwegian folk music, jazz and contemporary music,” Salas said. “The album garnered him two Downbeat Awards, an ASCAP Herb Alpert Award, a big band commission from New York Youth Symphony’s First Music and an invitation to perform with his quintet at Newport Jazz Festival.” Morris was recently awarded a second ASCAP Herb Alpert Award in 2023.

The Axes will also perform “Fuego Frio,” written by Richard Birk, adjunct professor of jazz scoring and arranging. Birk is also the coordinator of music and an associate professor of music at Brazosport College where he has served the college and community for 38 years. Twice recognized as Brazosport College’s Piper Professor Nominee and Teacher of Excellence, Birk directs the BC Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble as well the professional big band, the Brazosport Jazz Orchestra.

The other prominent piece to be performed by the Swingin’ Axes is Ben Irom’s arrangement of “African Skies” by Michael Brecker. This piece will feature lead tenor saxophone Jacob Soto of League City and Chase Adams of Canyon Lake on drums.

The Swingin’ Aces, directed by Dr. Jake Walburn, will perform “By My Side” by Sammy Nestico; “Caravan” by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol; “Without a Song” arranged by Rick Stitzel; “Act Your Age” by Gordon Goodwin; “My Romance” by Richard Rogers and Lorenzo Hard; and “Freddie Freeloader” by Miles Davis.

Concert tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. To purchase tickets, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit finearts.sfasu.edu. For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

Dr. Pablo Moreno, adjunct faculty oboe instructor at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present the recital program “Rediscovered and Unearthed” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Joining Moreno on the concert are colleagues Dr. Jennifer Dalmas, violin; Melissa Nabb, viola; Özge Serçeler, cello; and Dr. Minhae Lee, harpsichord.

The program will feature works by Wolfgang Amadeaus Mozart, Johann Gottlieb Janitsch, Simón Díaz and Chaya Czernowin.

Concert admission is free. For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.