Songs of composer John Duke to be featured in concert
October 11, 2013
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music and Cole Performing Arts Series will present "Into the Wild: The Songs of John Duke" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
The program will feature pianist Dr. Ron Petti, director of accompanying at SFA, and members of the SFA voice faculty, including Debbie Berry and Charlotte Davis, sopranos; Dr. Jamie Dahman and Dr. Tod Fish, tenors; Dr. Deborah Dalton and Nita Hudson, mezzo sopranos; and Dr. Scott LaGraff, baritone.
"Into the Wild" was selected as the title for the concert because many of American composer John Duke's 265 songs have "vivid references to nature throughout the text," according to Petti.
"Duke often uses the piano to depict the imagery of the text through bird calls, rhythmic figures which imitate the galloping of horses, a shimmering piano part reminiscent of snowflakes, and even a jolly, happy-go-lucky, swaying accompaniment in 'I taste a liquor never brewed,'" Petti said.
Other Duke songs to be performed are the well-known "Loveliest of Trees," "I Carry Your Heart," "I Ride the Great Black Horses" and "Luke Havergal."
The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music.
Cole Concert Hall is located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.