SFA Wind Symphony to perform commissioned piece honoring director of bands
April 22, 2014
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Symphony, under the direction of David W. Campo, will present "Stars and Dreams - Music of the Spheres" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and will feature the world premiere a selection commissioned to honor Fred J. Allen, director of bands at SFA.
"About a year ago, I approached composer L. Mark Lewis with the idea of a commission in honor of Mr. Allen," Campo said. "Considering Mr. Allen's significant contribution to Texas music education, coupled with the fact that he has just celebrated his 20th year at Stephen F. Austin State University, I thought it was important to mark this occasion with a work that celebrates this contribution."
Based on Allen's best-known work, "They Led My Lord Away," Lewis' "Tell Me Where" is essentially a set of variations based on the well-known melody.
"The shifting colors and textures create a work of introspection and serene peace - a perfect tribute to my friend, Fred, and a fitting tribute to this great musician and educator," Campo said.
The Wind Symphony will also perform Allen's beautiful setting of the spiritual "When the Stars Began to Fall." Completed in 1992, the composer dedicates the piece to his mother, Doris Allen.
Opening the concert will be Robert Jager's rousing march "Stars and Bars" followed by Timothy Mahr's "Daydream," composed in 1989 for the St. Olaf College Band. James Barnes' "Dream Journey," which was commissioned by the Austin ISD for the 25th anniversary of their All-City Honor Band, will also be performed.
Closing the concert is David Maslanka's "Morning Star," commissioned by the Grand Ledge, Michigan High School Wind Symphony, Michael Kaufman, conductor, and premiered in May of 1997.
The composer states, "Morning Star is about beginnings: the dawning of a new day, the opening of a new hall, the beginning of adult life for the young people who premiered the piece, and for those who are playing it now."
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.