NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Music Preparatory Division at Stephen F. Austin State University will offer a children's choir this spring, under the direction of Brandon Nichols, SFA graduate student in choral conducting. Monica Hamilton, SFA vocal performance graduate student, will assist Nichols.

Girls and boys (with unchanged voices) in grades three through eight are invited to audition from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, in Room 125 of the Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Dr. Students should make an appointment for a specific time slot by calling the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602 and be prepared to sing a familiar song, such as "My Country 'Tis of Thee." The audition will also include voicing exercises.

Beginning Feb. 11, the choir will meet each Thursday from 3:45 until 4:30 p.m. in Room 125 of the Music Building and perform at community functions or events and at a spring recital. Tuition is $50.

"We are delighted to be continuing this program," said Pat Barnett, director of the Music Preparatory Division. "Last fall, the children's choir performed in SFA's presentation of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Hodie" alongside SFA's combined choirs, the Nacogdoches and Lufkin High School choirs, and the Orchestra of the Pines."

For more information about the SFA Children's Choir or any other program offered by the SFA Music Preparatory Division, call Barnett at (936) 468-1291.