Everything Nac

The Rockin’ Axes at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a concert featuring popular songs from different time periods when the student ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

A student group within the School of Music’s Sound Recording Technology program, the Rockin’ Axes is directed by Nick Lambson, SRT faculty member.

“Students suggested and voted on these songs, including my selections, so there is no real theme,” Lambson explained. “Instead, we made sure to cover a number of sub-genres and songs from different time periods.”

Lambson said he also chose songs and assigned parts that would challenge specific students or that would allow them to develop their strengths. Among the selections are “Supermassive Blackhole” by Muse, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana and “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin.

“We chose one song by Muse that uses a custom guitar with a built-in electronic music controller, which one of the students recently purchased,” he said. “We also chose ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ because of the recent biopic, but also because it’s a classic.”

A student composition, “Through the Dark,” co-written by SRT major Chance Hill and student Vic Odom, will be featured. “They have worked hard and gone above and beyond by doing a recording of it, and we’re excited for the world premiere,” Lambson said.

Lambson also promised a surprise. “Without giving anything away, there will be a special encore …,” he said.

The concert is a presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Music. 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. Follow the ensemble on Facebook at The Rockin’ Axes of SFA State University.

Stephen F. Austin State University music composition major Jesse Edwards has garnered another award in a prestigious national competition for one of his original orchestral scores.

For the third year, The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) conducted a nationwide search to name the three winners in the PYO Young Composers Competition. Edwards, a Tyler senior, earned second place for his piece “Saturday Afternoon.” This recent recognition adds to the ever-growing list of accolades Edwards has amassed.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by such an amazing ensemble,” Edwards said. “It’s especially exciting for me to be able to share my music with a youth orchestra – the next generation of great musicians.”

Edwards studies with Dr. Stephen Lias, professor of composition at SFA, who described Edwards’ most recent honor as “well-deserved.”

“Jesse is one of those students I never have to push because his hunger for personal and creative growth is so strong,” Lias said. “He has really helped hold the bar high for his colleagues.

“Composers build their reputation by winning competitions,” he added. “The earlier in their career they start doing this, the better for them. So having this on his resume will give Jesse considerable credibility and gravitas as he seeks commissions and applies to graduate programs.”

“Saturday Afternoon” was inspired by one of Edwards’ visits to New York City.

“When my wife lived in New York City, before we were married, I would go up to visit as much as I could,” he said. “We never had very much time together – sometimes just a weekend – so it became a sort of challenge to see how many things we could fit in a day. ‘Saturday Afternoon’ follows the adventures of one such day on a weekend trip during the winter of 2016.”

An internationally performed composer of rising acclaim, Edwards’ newest work, “Mint Chic,” was recently performed at the Alba International Music Festival, in Alba, Italy, by SOLI Chamber Ensemble. Edwards has worked with SFA’s Orchestra of the Pines, Starks Sound, and film director Adam Rothstein to create what has been noted as “accessible,” “well spoken,” and “straightforward” by Italian composer/educator Ferdinando Nazzaro. His music has been performed by the Lemberg Sinfonietta (Lviv, Ukraine), the Phoenix Ensemble (Ukraine), the Hobart Wind Symphony (Tasmania) and by high school and university choirs and bands throughout East Texas.

Lias noted that SFA’s reputation as an institution that provides a quality fine arts education bodes well for the university as it recruits art, music and theatre students.

“The fact that SFA can attract students of Jesse’s quality and nurture their development in a way that bears fruit like this is a testament to the entire College of Fine Arts,” Lias said. “Jesse has collaborated with both the theatre and art programs scoring plays and movies and has spent a semester studying abroad at our partner institution in Hobart, Australia. Although Jesse would have succeeded anywhere, SFA has been an excellent fit and provided him exactly the opportunities he needed to grow into the composer he is today.”

Following graduation in May, Edwards plans to pursue a master’s degree in music composition.

“I’m just looking forward to even more future opportunities like this one that allow me to spread a little more joy and beauty in a world that needs it,” he said.

For more information on Edwards’ music, recordings and videos, visit jesseedwardsmusic.com

Acclaimed as one of today’s leading contemporary Mexican groups, the Villalobos Brothers will bring their high-octane musical fiesta to Nacogdoches when they perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.

The performance is the final show of the SFA College of Fine Arts’ 2018-19 University Series, ending the season in a celebration of Mexican folk music that skillfully blends intricate jazz and classical harmonies and rock-and-roll energy with the traditional sounds of the brothers’ native country, according Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the series.

“I was blown away by the fiery performing style and infectious charm of the Villalobos Brothers when I heard them live,” Shattuck said. “Ever since then, I’ve been dying to bring them from their home base in New York City to SFA and introduce Nacogdoches audiences to the fun and passion they bring to their concerts.”

The ensemble’s virtuosic performances have delighted audiences throughout Latin America, India, Russia and Canada and in more than 30 states across the U.S. They have performed in historic venues and at events including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the New Victory Theatre on Broadway, the Latin Grammy Awards, Montreal Jazz Festival, the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City.

The Villalobos Brothers recently premiered their Symphonic Project, performing sold-out concerts with both the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and the Walla Walla Symphony. The ensemble has collaborated with legendary musicians including Grammy winners Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Ana Tijoux, Antonio Sánchez, Regina Carter, Sierra Hull and Dan Zanes.

In 2013, the Villalobos Brothers won New York’s Ultimate Battle of the Boroughs, a citywide talent contest for bands of all genres and styles. Their album “Somos” will be released this year.

The Villalobos Brothers’ performance in Nacogdoches is sponsored in part by BancorpSouth. Additional show parking will be available at the bank’s North Street location. The College of Fine Arts has partnered with the SFA Office of Multicultural Affairs to promote the show.

“We’re so grateful to BancorpSouth and the rest of our sponsors, advertisers and other partners for making this event possible,” Shattuck said. “Along with them we’re celebrating the diversity and vitality of our campus and the entire Deep East Texas region by welcoming this award-winning group to SFA.”

Prior to the performance, Juan Carlos Urena, professor in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication, will present an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery. The gallery is located across the hall from Turner Auditorium, which is inside the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive. The audience is invited back to the gallery for a post-performance reception to meet the performers and to honor the corporate sponsor.

Single event ticket prices for the University Series are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for non-SFA students/youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the Fine Arts Box Office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.