SFA A Cappella Choir to perform

The SFA A Cappella Choir will present its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in Cole Concert Hall.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The A Cappella Choir, Stephen F. Austin State University's premier vocal ensemble, will present its annual fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The 52-voice mixed choir is composed almost entirely of resident voice majors at SFA and performs a repertoire of a cappella and concerted works spanning 600 years.

The program, which includes works by J.S. Bach, Johannes Brahms, Ko Matsushita and Michael Ostrzyga, is, in part, a preview of the works the choir will be performing at a regional conference in March and on its European tour in May.

"Through our guest appearances at state and national conventions, the A Cappella Choir has gained a reputation as one of the finest choral ensembles in the United States," said Dr. Tim King, director of choral activities at SFA and the ensemble's director.

"This year, we accepted an invitation to open the annual conference of the Southwestern Division of the American Choral Directors Association in Dallas on Thursday, March 1."

The choir's reputation also reaches beyond the borders of the United States. In 2006, the choir accepted an invitation of the Salzburg Choral Society to join in the celebration of W.A. Mozart's 250th birthday. Three years later, the ensemble toured Italy, performing at the International Music Festival and concerts in Florence, Rome, Venice and Vatican City.

This May, during its 11-day tour of Austria and the Czech Republic, the choir will present concerts at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna and the Dom Cathedral in Salzburg.

"To be granted permission to perform in either of these famed venues is quite significant," said King.

The Nov. 17 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 go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.