SFA choir concert features American composers

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Choral Union and Women's Choir of Stephen F.Austin State University will present a joint concert, "Made in the USA: Three Centuries of American Choral Music," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

"We are pleased to be sharing with East Texas an entire concert of music by American composers," said David Howard, SFA associate director of choirs and conductor of both ensembles.

The concert will open with three selections from the 18th century by William Billings and Supply Belcher that capture the patriotic zeal and religious fervor of the colonial Americans.

From the 19th century, the Women's Choir will perform two songs from Horatio Parker's "Seven Greek Pastoral Scenes," and the Choral Union will sing Edward MacDowell's "Dance of the Gnomes," guest conducted by Brandon Nichols, Monahans graduate student.

The two choirs will combine to sing the second set of Aaron Copland's "Old American Songs," and the Choral Union will close the concert with Robert Ray's "Gospel Mass," which was written while the composer was serving as the liturgy team leader for the National Office of Black Catholics.

The concert 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.