Everything Nac

Dr. James Vilseck, adjunct professor of percussion at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present a recital featuring a variety of styles and energy levels when he performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Composers whose works will be included on the program are Alejandro Viñao, Andy Akiho, Ella Macens, John Psathas, Javier Alvarez, Robert Oetomo and Elliott Carter.

“There is no specific theme for the recital, other than great percussion music,” Vilseck said. “For all of my recitals, I try to find a wide variety of music that will entertain an audience. This means a variety of styles and energy levels. Luckily for percussion recitals, this also means a variety of instruments. From one piece to the next will be a completely different sound, meaning there is more variety than your typical music recital.”

Vilseck also programmed works from a variety of composers representing diverse and varied backgrounds. Additionally, the program features a mix of works he has performed in the past alongside newer works he’s never performed.

“The goal was to present a challenging program that will push myself without sacrificing audience entertainment,” he said.

The program features “Koolish Zein” by John Psathas. It was originally written for percussion soloist, percussion quartet and electronics, but Vilseck will perform the first movement titled “Her Alchemy” as a solo version with electronics.

“The piece is highly energetic with blazing fast runs up and down the keyboard instruments and a heavy groove from the electronics,” he said. “I have greatly studied Psathas’ works in my career and always look forward to sharing the music.”

Another work that includes electronics is the snare drum solo “Stop Speaking” by Andy Akiho that uses an electronic voice from a voice-to-text software program on Mac computers.

“The voice talks of its own creation and existence on top of Akiho’s unique writing style, making this a unique snare solo,” Vilseck explained. “I will also perform a second of Akiho’s works, ‘Murasaki.’ Part of his Synesthesia Suite and representing the color “purple” (quite appropriate for SFA), the work presents a relaxing reggae on lead steel pan reminiscent of the music of Bob Marley.”

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.

The Singin’ Axes and Kantorei choirs at Stephen F. Austin State University will present “Wide Open Spaces: A Concert of Living Composers” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Dr. Tod Fish, associate director of choral activities at SFA and conductor of the choirs, chose the theme because of “the endless possibilities for creativity that contemporary composers have at their disposal.”

“Performing the music of a diverse group of composers affords our students the opportunity to tackle styles ranging from lyrical melodies, cluster chord harmonies, pop-like driving rhythms, African rhythmic styles, and even some aleatoric techniques, accompanied by instruments such as the cello, oboe, horn, djembe and electric keyboard,” Fish said.

Collaborative pianists for the concert are Dr. Maria Lyapkova and Dr. Thomas Nixon. Also performing are Graham Mackenzie, Dr. Andrea Denis, Dr. Evgeni Raychev, Nadya Pramono and Martha De Luna.

Among the program selections is SFA alumnus Reginal Wright’s setting of a contemporary motet entitled “Hosanna,” to be performed by the Singin’ Axes.

“We are very proud of Reginal and the fantastic work that he does with both his choirs at Mansfield High School and the outstanding music that he composes.,” Fish said. “It only seemed right to feature him on this concert.”

The Kantorei treble choir will sing Rupert Lang’s setting of “Cantate Domino,” which is the oldest composition on the concert (composed in 1994) and features a wide variety of techniques such as glissandos, aleatoric singing and the use of an electric organ/synthesizer.

The combined Kantorei/Singin’ Axes choirs will perform Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo’s setting of the Latin sacred text “Ubi caritas.” The selection will feature new choral conducting graduate student Martha De Luna playing a transcription of a piano improvisation under the choir.

The combined choirs will also present a world premiere performance of David W. Brewer’s setting of “Ave Regina caelorum.” Brewer is the music teacher at Regents Academy in Nacogdoches.

“David had already established himself as a composer prior to moving to our community,” Fish said. “He studied under the famous choral conductor and composer Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, and this piece bears glimpses of his influence. We are honored to sing the first performance of this piece and appreciate Mr. Brewer’s gift.”

Other program highlights include performances of “There Will Come Soft Rains,” featuring Graham Mackenzie, oboe; “Let the Music Fill Your Soul,” featuring Dr. Andrea Denis, horn; and “God will give orders/Sweet child,” featuring Dr. Evgeni Raychev, cello, and Nadya Pramono, djembe.

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.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Stone Fort Museum has named Sheryl and Steve Hartz, and the late Mable Ferguson Hall as the 2021 Cum Concilio Club Heritage Preservation Award recipients.

The museum’s biennial heritage preservation award was established in honor of the Cum Concilio Club’s dedication to the preservation of Nacogdoches’ cultural and historical landscape. The award recognizes a group or individual who has made significant contributions to the preservation of East Texas’ history and Nacogdoches’ heritage.

“Preservation projects almost always involve an extraordinary amount of perseverance,” said Carolyn Spears, director of the Stone Fort Museum. “They are rarely singular dramatic events. Saving our shared cultural history takes time and long-term dedication. This year’s recipients exemplify the needed dedication and love of subject to make change.”

Sheryl and Steve Hartz

Local musicians and artists Sheryl and Steve Hartz were recognized by the Stone Fort Museum for significant contributions to the preservation of East Texas’ musical traditions and the rural mercantile experience.

Since 1978, the couple has managed their general store, instrument repair shop and local gathering place for musicians in downtown Nacogdoches. The General Mercantile and Old Time String Shop — with its iconic Coca-Cola mural on the eastern outside wall — celebrates rural traditions and offers residents and visitors to Nacogdoches an opportunity to experience a vanishing business model.

“Steve and Sheryl Hartz have provided a visual anchor for the brick streets of Nacogdoches since Steve opened the Old Time String Shop, now the General Mercantile and Old Time String Shop,” said Charlie Jones, former SFA art professor and the couple’s longtime friend. “The shop has provided a gathering place for a Saturday afternoon ritual of acoustic music and stories. Folks from many walks of life, from a local Baptist preacher to a university dean to a mill worker, come together to share old-time country and bluegrass tunes.”

Steve has authored two books, “By the Muddy Angelina” and “Settlers of the Western Woods,” narrating the musical history of East Texas with essays and recordings. In 1998, he produced “Crooked Steep and Rocky,” an album of original bluegrass songs. Steve manufactures traditional flutes and banjos, and his research has led to reenactments of medicine shows.

Sheryl, an avid broom maker, learned the art as an apprentice to master craftsman Shawn Hoefer of the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Using a foot-activated broom machine called a kickwinder, Sheryl uses techniques popularized in the 1800s in her craft.

Mable Ferguson Hall

Hall was “one of the ‘quiet leaders’ of the Nacogdoches community,” according to Jeri Mills, author of “African Americans in Nacogdoches County.”

“Mable often was the person who worked behind the scenes, making calls, doing research, gathering information and the data needed for a specific project,” Mills said. “If it meant driving to a nearby community, library or courthouse for needed resources, then Mable would make the journey.”

Hall was born in Chireno and graduated from Chireno Colored High School. She later graduated from SFA and worked for 28 years as a social worker. In 1989, she married the Rev. Earl Hall and served as first lady of Bethlehem Missionary Church for 19 years.

Hall returned to SFA’s School of Social Work for nine years after her retirement and spearheaded the project to restore Sand Hill Cemetery with the assistance of SFA’s 2009 Preserve America grant.

Hall died in January 2021. Throughout her career, she worked with multiple boards, committees, families and friends to preserve local history throughout the area. At the time of her death, she served on the Nacogdoches County Historical Commission.