Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Stephen F. Austin State University's Steel Drum Band will present a program of pop, Caribbean and Latin favorites during its annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
The 10- member ensemble performs on a full set of steel pans (made from 55-gallon oil drums), an electric bass guitar, drum set and a large array of Latin percussion-or as they say in Trinidad, the "Engine Room," explained Scott Harris, SFA associate professor of percussion and the group's director.
In addition to "Baby I Love Your Way," "Take On Me," "Samba El Gato" and "Maryanne," the band will perform music learned specifically for the recent Pan Festival in Waco where the students interacted with other Texas steel bands and nationally renowned guest artists.
The concert will also feature junior percussion majors Nathan Brazell of Longview and Chris Thompson of Baytown performing a multiple-percussion duet by Daniel McCarthy, "Balance of Power," and a marimba arrangement of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" by Seagoville senior Stephanie Cantu.
The SFA Steel Drum Band's popularity has made it one of the most requested ensembles in the SFA School of Music, said Harris. The group has appeared at Chili's Restaurant, Scare on the Square, the Nine Flags Festival, the Nacogdoches Chili Festival and the Texas Music Educators Association convention in San Antonio.
Harris invites everyone to don a Hawaiian shirt and join the group for a memorable evening of fun, excitement and, of course, the traditional Limbo dance--a featured event at every SFA Steel Drum Band performance.
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.