SFA's Piney Woods Camerata to present concert

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Piney Woods Camerata, a conductor-less string ensemble led by the Stephen F. Austin State University string faculty, will present its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The ensemble consists of Dr. Jennifer Dalmas, violin; Dr. Evgeni Raychev, cello; Eric Fisher, double bass; and Dr. Geneva Fung, piano.

The highlight of the program will be Luigi Boccherini's "Stabat Mater," featuring SFA music faculty members Dr. Jamie Weaver (soprano) and Bruce Fowler (tenor), and SFA alumna Monica Hamilton (soprano).

The piece is a musical setting of a 13th century Latin hymn that meditates on the sufferings of Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus, her son. The title translates as "the mother was standing."

"The most important of Boccherini's few vocal works, the Stabat Mater displays the composer's gift for theatrical and colorful compositions as well as his talent for virtuosic writing for strings," said Weaver, assistant professor of music history. "The work features Classical and even Baroque style traits that, combined with Boccherini's sense of dramatic contrast, create a rich and intense listening experience."

Also included on the program are the overture to the oratorio "Judas Maccabaeus" by George Frideric Handel and Arcangelo Corelli's concerto grosso No.8 ("Christmas concerto").

The concert, which is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music, is a part of the Cole Performing Arts Series' inaugural season. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Dr.

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.