Everything Nac

Dr. J.D. Salas, associate professor of tuba and euphonium studies in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music, will open SFA’s 2019 Octubafest Celebration with a recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, in Cole Concert Hall on the university campus.

Octubafest is a worldwide event celebrated by tuba and euphonium performers at universities around the world during the month of October, according to Salas. The observance is meant to showcase the versatility of the tuba and euphonium, instruments that primarily play a background part in many ensembles.

“This will be the 14th Octubafest at SFA since my arrival here and will feature several performances by the SFA Tuba-Euphonium Studio throughout the month,” Salas said.

Salas will collaborate with Dr. Thomas Nixon, SFA collaborative pianist, on the recital. Among the works to be showcased are “Libertango” by Astor Piazzolla.

“This well-known work by the master of the tango has been performed by several instruments,” Salas said, “but it works well to showcase the technical capability of the tuba as well as its beautiful voice-like quality in the upper register.”

The recital will also feature “Ten Blind Dates for Solo Tuba” by James Grant. The piece is the result of a consortium commissioning project involving Salas. “It is a ‘character piece’ illustrating the various emotions and experiences of a blind date,” he explained.

“Landscape for Tuba” by Torbjorn Lundquist is large-scale work originally written for tuba and strings. “This version for tuba and piano runs the gamut of the tuba’s depth of character with beautiful lyrical sections contrasted with powerful interjections,” according to Salas.

The recital is part of the School of Music’s Friends of Music Concert 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.

Faculty members of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will be the featured performers during the annual Pi Kappa Lambda Music Faculty Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The concert showcases the talents of the diverse School of Music performing faculty, according to Dr. Jamie Weaver, associate professor of music history at SFA and president of Pi Kappa Lambda honors society. Proceeds from the concert fund scholarships for deserving SFA music majors selected by the honors society.

“I encourage everyone who loves music, who would like to learn more about music, or who is curious about music at SFA to attend this year’s Pi Kappa Lambda Faculty Showcase,” Weaver said. “Sponsored by the university music honors society, the concert features a wide variety of instruments, voices and musical styles in brief, audience-friendly performances.

“Faculty members look forward to this concert every year because we have the chance to perform for each other as well as for our students and friends,” she added.

This year’s program will again feature a performance by the SFA Faculty Brass Quintet, which features Deb Scott, trombone; Jake Walburn and Gary Wurtz, trumpet; Charles Gavin, horn; and JD Salas, tuba.

Other faculty performers will be Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Debbie Berry, Nita Hudson, Richard Berry, Scott LaGraff, voice, with guest artist Kimberly LaGraff; Christina Guenther and Samantha Inman, flute; Abby Yeakle Held, oboe; Nathan Nabb, saxophone; and Mario Ajero, Mary Cooper, Thomas Nixon, Hyun Ji Oh and Ron Petti, piano.

The recital is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and is a feature of the 2019-20 Friends of Music Concert Series. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building at 2210 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.