The Stone Fort Wind Quintet

The Stone Fort Wind Quintet at Stephen F. Austin State University features faculty members, from left, Charles Gavin, French horn; Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Kerry Hughes, oboe; Christina Guenther, flute; and Lee Goodhew, bassoon.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Stone Fort Wind Quintet performing a concert titled “Invitation to the Dance” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Music selections for the program were based on the form of the Baroque instrumental dance suite, according to Charles Gavin, SFA professor of horn and chamber music and quintet member.

“It is actually very intriguing to contrast and compare how three modern composers adapt their music to the dance suite,” Gavin said. “Also included on the program will be a setting of the tango for woodwind quintet.”

Selections include “Cumberland Suite” by American composer Eric Ewazen, a contemporary American composer who has likely succeeded Aaron Copland as the “voice” of American music, Gavin said. The suite is a four-movement work featuring the allemande, courante, sarabande and gigue, all of which come from the Baroque dance suite.

Another work programmed is also by an American composer, Lee Hoiby. His works stem from a Romantic style and are “quite melodic and lyrical,” Gavin said. This includes a setting of the waltz.

A composition by another American composer, Michael Kibbe, is titled “Pink Flamingoes,” and it features his “somewhat humorous setting of the traditional tango,” Gavin explained.

Concluding the concert will be Shout Chorus for Wind Quintet by Kenji Bunch.

“This one piece has no ties to the dance,” Gavin said, “but it will present a wild and exciting finish to the concert.”

New faculty members Lee Goodhew, bassoon, and Kerry Hughes, oboe, will perform their first concert with the quintet. Other members include Christina Guenther, flute, and Christopher Ayer, clarinet.

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.