Everything Nac

The SFA Friends of Music and School of Music will honor Dr. Jennifer Edwards at Extravaganza 32, Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music’s annual gala banquet. The event is planned for 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, in the Grand Ballroom of SFA’s Baker Pattillo Student Center.

Edwards, a 1967 graduate from the SFA School of Music, retired after an illustrious career as a professor of voice at Kansas State University.

This year’s Extravaganza, “Stars of Tomorrow,” celebrates the 32nd anniversary of the gala and fundraiser, which features gourmet dining, performances by student soloists and ensembles, and the presentation of student awards in an exciting evening of music, according to Dr. Gary Wurtz, director of the SFA School of Music.

“There is no better way to experience a cross section of what the SFA School of Music has to offer than at our annual Extravaganza,” Wurtz said. “While enjoying a good meal, those in attendance hear performances by the top choir, band, orchestra, jazz band, student recitalists, opera performers and more. Our fantastic students provide both dinner music and a dance to end the evening. This is a very unique experience, and one where there is a lot of fun to be had.”

Part music student awards ceremony, part formal dinner, and part musical potpourri, Extravaganza features jazz, wind ensemble, choir, opera, string quartet and orchestra. Additional highlights include awarding Outstanding Music Alumni and Outstanding Recitalists of the Year.

As is tradition with Extravaganza, the music faculty has selected an outstanding music graduate to honor.

“Dr. Edwards had a fantastic career as a vocalist and professor after graduating in 1967,” Wurtz said. “In addition to a sustained teaching career with numerous student successes, she is a renowned recitalist and oratorio soloist who has performed throughout the Midwest.”

Originally from Longview, Edwards went on to get her Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Oregon and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City. For 36 years, she was a beloved voice teacher and taught many voice-related courses at Kansas State University. She also served as chair of the voice division.

A recitalist and oratorio soloist, Edwards has performed throughout the Midwest in appearances with the Dayton Bach Society, The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, The Wichita Symphony Serenade Concerts and The Reno Choral Society. Operatic roles include Cherubino in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro,” the Principessa in Giacomo Puccini’s “Suor Angelica,” Carmen in Georges Bizet’s “Carmen,” and Elizabeth in Robert Ward’s “The Crucible.” She was a member of the ensemble cast of the musical, “Quilters,” a production of Opening Night Theater, which toured for two years throughout the state of Kansas. She also sang the role of the Mother in the same company’s production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”

She has toured with her husband, pianist/organist Robert Edwards, and trumpeter Craig Parker in recitals of music for organ, trumpet and voice. The three have performed in major churches in Colorado Springs, New York City, New Orleans and Topeka.

The Extravaganza 32 committee includes John and Melinda Rohrer, co-chairs, Carolyn King, Caryl Hall, MaryAnn and Farrar Bentley, Kimberly LaGraff, Barb Stump, Shirley Watterston and Marinell Booth.

This year’s Friends of Music officers include Carolyn Andrews, president; Missy DeVine, secretary/treasurer; and Marinell Booth, past president.

“We want to invite everyone to come and celebrate this 32nd Extravaganza with us,” John and Melinda Rohrer said.

Reservations and payments should be made by noon Thursday, April 18.

Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for SFA students. Patron level tickets range in prices from $65 to $140, and donations will be accepted for the Friends of Music scholarship fund. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s horticulture program will host an inaugural plant fair and open house from 5 to 8 p.m. May 3 and 10 a.m. to noon May 4 at the SFA Plantery, located at 1924 Wilson Drive.

The event will feature plants for purchase and educational activities, as well as information regarding how to grow your plants.

“Attendees will experience the floral aromas and vibrant colors of flowers in full bloom at the nursery, greenhouse and garden,” said Stephanie Stevens, a senior mass communication major.

The plant fair is family friendly and will include a photo booth and plant identification, planting, and tea-tasting stations.

“The event’s purpose is to showcase our horticulture program and help attendees cultivate a love for plants,” said Dr. Jared Barnes, assistant professor of horticulture at SFA. “We want to show off our student’s hard work in the greenhouses, as well as all of the opportunities offered through SFA’s agriculture department.”

Plants available for purchase include edibles, such as tomatoes, lettuce and basil, as well as summer annuals, including vinca, zinnia and angelonia. All proceeds support future educational projects in the SFA horticulture program and Horticulture Club.

In addition to this event, Barnes said the horticulture program offers garden volunteer opportunities for the community and work-study opportunities for SFA students. Fresh, student-grown, chemical-free produce also is sold at the SFA Plantery every Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We’d love to help answer any gardening questions guests have and hope this event inspires a love for the Earth and everything on it,” Barnes added.

For more information, contact Barnes at (936) 468-7850 or barnesj@sfasu.edu. The community also may learn more about the horticulture program by visiting HorticultureIsAwesome.com/the-plantery or following @SfaHorticulture on Instagram.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will host its inaugural celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May on the SFA campus.

In partnership with SFA’s Asian Culture Club, the OMA welcomes the SFA and Nacogdoches communities to join in activities and traditions that embrace Asian and Pacific Islander cultures.

“The month of May has been recognized as National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by the U.S. Congress. It originally started as a small celebration for a select few days in 1977 and later became a full month celebration in 1992,” said Jalon Berry, OMA assistant director. “The OMA aims to embrace more cultures and traditions so that every Lumberjack feels included at SFA. We look forward to seeing everyone come out to celebrate the OMA inauguration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.”

According to the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month website, the month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

The Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration will take place at noon Wednesday, May 1, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Plaza. The event is free and open to the public.

By Christine Broussard, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

When Dr. Matthew Beauregard was offered a position as a professor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, he initially wasn’t sure the university was the right fit for him.

A native of upstate New York, Beauregard was working for another institution when SFA sought him out. Although hesitant at first, the relationships formed during his interview with Dr. Deborah Pace, then the dean of SFA’s mathematics department, helped Beauregard realize the university was exactly what he was looking for. Soon after, he packed his bags and headed to Nacogdoches.

“I came to SFA, and I loved it,” Beauregard said. “It felt like a family before I even got here.”

During his five years with the university, Beauregard has taught a variety of math classes but prefers following a student cohort’s progress from their first through upper-level courses. In each class, he strives to teach students not only the course material, but also about putting study skills into practice throughout their college career.

“I love being part of our students’ lives as they move through their degree plan year after year, moving closer and closer to reaching their long-term goals and maturing info professionals,” he said. “The mentorship is by far my favorite thing.”

As an applied mathematician, Beauregard sees math as a toolbox capable of solving real-world problems. Currently, he uses this toolbox for several research endeavors in various fields, including with the United States Geological Survey Lab to study control methods for invasive species. Applied mathematics also gives him the opportunity to study areas not traditionally associated with the math, like linguistics. He is currently working with a linguist to study the efficacy of different controls to promote stable bilingualism.

“I’m not an engineer, physicist or biologist by trade, but I’m a handyman that comes in and can most likely get the job done,” he said.

For his work, Beauregard was recently recognized with the SFA Teaching Excellence Award for the College of Sciences and Mathematics. This award is given annually and is based on knowledge of subject matter, quality of lectures and assignments, enthusiasm for teaching, interest in and availability to students, commitment to continuous improvement, and contribution to the quality of teaching at SFA by assisting and encouraging other faculty members.

“Dr. Beauregard is student-centered in all aspects of his career,” said Dr. Lesa Beverly, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “He is always looking for opportunities to improve his teaching, involve students in his research and be a part of recruitment efforts. He is truly transforming the life of his students, one Lumberjack at a time.”

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

The Stone Fort Museum on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University will host its third pop-up concert featuring members of the SFA Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, May 10.

The concert will feature traditional Texas tunes performed by the ensemble, which is led by Dr. J.D. Salas, SFA associate professor of music.

“When people think of a group of tubas playing together, thoughts of massed pachyderms may immediately spring to mind,” Salas said. “However, the euphonium, which is similar to a tuba but about half the size, has a higher and lighter sound and performs most of the melodies. Together, the two instruments create an ensemble that possesses remarkably sonorous timbre and a wide dynamic range.”

This concert is the continuation of the Stone Fort Museum’s Inside-Out project; intended to reduce barriers to collections and their stories through outside displays and events that engage new audiences.

“Hosting the inside-outside events is a way to attract members of the SFA and Nacogdoches communities to come to events outside the Stone Fort and then encourage them to step inside and continue the experience,” Carolyn Spears, director of the Stone Fort Museum, said.

The Stone Fort’s current exhibit is “Pocket, Purse and Pack: Digging into Everyday Carry.” The exhibit examines not only the various tools and objects that were considered necessities of daily life for past generations but also looks at why they were necessary.

According to Spears, the things we carry may be directly tied to common needs, as is the case with a pocket watch. They also may reflect our habits, interests or beliefs, as with snuff boxes, pocket binoculars or religious icons.

“What we carry in our pockets changes as society changes, “Spears said. “Highlights of the exhibit include a pocket-dump station where guests can take a picture of the baubles and knick-knacks they can’t leave home without.”

The concert is free and open to the public. Guests will be able to snack on old-fashioned picnic fare. For more information about the Stone Fort, its exhibits or the Inside-Out series, contact Spears at cspears@sfasu.edu.

The Swingin’ Axes and Swingin’ Aces jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University will present their final concert of the year at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The Swingin’ Axes, directed by Dr. Deb Scott, will showcase performances by some of its longtime players who will graduate at the end of the semester. Those include Winter Springs, Florida, senior Alec Bartlett on saxophone; Houston senior Dawson Dowdy on piano; Purcellville, Virginia, graduate student Luke Vacca on trombone; along with Weatherford graduate assistant Max Muciño on trumpet.

The Axes will perform two original compositions by Maria Schneider – “Bird Count” and “Arbiters of Evolution.” Also on the program is the Sammy Nestico arrangement of “Day In, Day Out” by Rube Bloom and Johnny Mercer.

“‘Round Midnight,” composed by Thelonious Monk and Cootie Williams and arranged by Mike Tomaro, will feature the Axes’ new lead alto saxophonist, Lufkin graduate student Felipe Hernandez.

Other graduates performing on the concert are graduate student Sam Lana, alto sax from Cincinnati, Ohio; graduate student Sara Crider, tenor sax from Purvis, Mississippi; and senior Kyle Manuel, trombone from Cypress.

The Swingin’ Aces, directed by Dr. J.D. Salas, will perform “Two Seconds to Midnight” by Alan Baylock; “Flight of the Foo Birds” by Neal Hefti and recorded by Count Basie Orchestra; and “Kingfish” by Bill Holman and recorded by The Stan Kenton Orchestra.

The Aces will also feature a brand-new arrangement by Sammy Nestico of Johnny Mercer’s “Tangerine” from Nestico’s recent album “A Portrait of Sammy.”

The concert is a presentation of the SFA 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.