Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Scott Harris, associate professor of percussion at Stephen F. Austin State University.NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS-Scott Harris, associate professor of percussion at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present a faculty marimba recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, in Cole Concert Hall.
The marimba, a five-octave mallet instrument that is similar to a xylophone but much larger, has become the primary vehicle for solo percussion performance in the last 30 years, explained Harris. "The pieces I've chosen for the recital represent some of my favorite works and are associated with the world's most recognized marimbists and composers."
Among the pieces included in the first half of the program are Clair Omar Musser's "Etude in CM," one of the oldest pieces ever written for the marimba, and Gordon Stout's "Mexican Dance #2," which, in the 1970s, was widely considered one of the finest and most difficult works for the marimba at that time, according to Harris.
During the second half of the program, Harris will perform Christopher Deane's "The Process of Invention" and Keiko Abe's "Michi," which features the Japanese marimba artist's signature improvisational approach to composition.
The recital will close with Minouri Miki's "Marimba Spiritual," a "highly energetic and exciting work based off the Japanese Taiko drumming style," Harris said.
Joining Harris on this piece are SFA percussion students Jon Gaedchens, Dayton sophomore; Matt Poole, Conroe senior; Jeremiah Salisbury, Tyler junior; and Chris Vasquez, Port Isabel senior.
As director of percussion studies at SFA, Harris directs the Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band and oversees the Lumberjack Marching Drumline. He also directs/coordinates the annual SFA Summer Percussion Symposium.
He has presented clinics and concerts at conventions and conferences for the Percussive Arts Society, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy and the College Music Society.
The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Cole Concert Hall is located at 2210 Alumni Dr.
Tickets for the recital are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.