SFA music faculty featured in benefit recital

Members of the Stephen F. Austin State University music faculty will perform during the annual Pi Kappa Lambda Recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in Cole Concert Hall. Pictured, back row, from left, are Christina Guenther, Bruce Fowler and James Faucett; second row, Christopher Ayer, Charles Gavin, Scott Harris and Mario Ajero; third row, Brian Utley, Deb Scott, Linda Parr and Andrew Parr; front row, Gary Wurtz, Ron Petti, Mary Cooper and David Howard. Performers not pictured are Debbie Berry, Jarrod Beard, Deborah Dalton, Nita Hudson, Kimberly LaGraff, Scott LaGraff, Evgeni Raychev and J.D. Salas.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Faculty members of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will be the featured performers during the annual Pi Kappa Lambda Recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

"This concert showcases our diverse faculty and their talent," said Brian Utley, SFA associate professor of music and president of the local chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society. "In addition, all proceeds benefit the Pi Kappa Lambda scholarship we give each year to the sophomore music major with the highest grade point average."

This year's concert includes a variety of ensembles, the largest being the SFA Brass Quintet composed of Gary Wurtz, trumpet; Charles Gavin, horn; Deb Scott, trombone; J.D. Salas, tuba; and SFA student Jarrod Beard, trumpet.

Pianists Mary Cooper and James Faucett will perform a duet, as will flutist Christina Guenther and marimbist Scott Harris. Vocalists Scott LaGraff (baritone) and his wife, Kimberly (soprano), will sing a duet, accompanied by pianist Andrew Parr.

Other vocalists to perform include soprano Debbie Berry and mezzo-sopranos Deborah Dalton and Nita Hudson, all accompanied by Mary Cooper; baritone David Howard, accompanied by Linda Parr; and tenor Bruce Fowler accompanied by Ron Petti.

Petti will also accompany saxophonist Brian Utley and present a solo performance. Other pianists to perform solo are Mario Ajero, Andrew Parr and Linda Parr.

Clarinetist Christopher Ayer and cellist Evgeni Raychev will also present solos.

The recital is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.