SFA Orchestra of the Pines to present 'Grand Anniversaries'

Dr. Charles Gavin, SFA professor of horn, will be the guest artist and featured soloist on Lee Actor's "Horn Concerto" during the SFA Orchestra of the Pines' concert at 730 p.m. Saturday, April 24, in Cole Concert Hall.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Orchestra of the Pines in its season-ending concert, "Grand Anniversaries," at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The title refers to the anniversaries of two featured composers' births, explained Gene H. Moon, director of orchestral studies at SFA. "We will present 'Adagio for Strings' by Samuel Barber, who was born in 1910, and 'Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major' by Robert Schumann, born in 1810.

Moon said both pieces are personal favorites of his. "'Adagio for Strings' is an extremely popular piece of music, utilized in nearly every somber movie scene and performed throughout the world, and the third symphony is a powerful work the orchestra has had a wonderful time with in rehearsal."

The program also includes Lee Actor's "Horn Concerto," featuring guest artist Charles Gavin, SFA professor of horn.

Actor will be on campus prior to the concert and will offer the orchestra guidance on the performance of his piece, which won First Prize in the 2007 International Horn Society Composition. He will also conduct a master class with SFA composition students at 3 p.m. Friday, April 23, in Room 160 of the Music Building. The class is open to the public.

Gavin joined the SFA music faculty in 1984 where he teaches horn and chamber music and is a member of the SFA Faculty Brass Quintet.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities at SFA, Gavin maintains an active performing schedule. He is currently principal horn with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra. He was a soloist at the 23rd International Horn Symposium and regularly performs at regional horn workshops.

Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Dr. The concert is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital and the Wedgeworth-Wright Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets to the concert are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $5 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.