NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - In memory of the 3,000 men and women who lost their lives 10 years ago on Sept. 11, the Stephen F. Austin State University A Cappella Choir will present "Stars and Stripes Forever," a multi-sensory concert, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.
"For many of us, 9/11 was 'the' event that changed the way we live-two wars, personal privacy issues, security, etc. are all results of the fateful attacks," said Tim King, SFA director of choral activities and the A Cappella Choir. "This concert honors those who sacrificed their lives that day and all those who have died to keep us free."
Brad Maule, former daytime television star and lecturer in the SFA School of Theatre, will serve as emcee for the concert. The first half of the program will consist primarily of well-known patriotic songs, enhanced with projected visuals.
The concert's second half is devoted to "Our Flag Was Still There" by Deborah Craig-Claar. The six songs included in this larger work will be interspersed with recorded interviews by local residents: WW II veteran Tom Wright, Viet Nam veteran Johnny Johnson and naturalized citizen Alicia Coffman.
Additional recorded interviews were conducted with members of the SFA Children's Chorus and A Cappella Choir member Joseph Dennis, who recently completed an internship in Italy.
Joining the A Cappella Choir for this concert will be SFA Professor of Voice Deborah Dalton appearing as Kate Smith, the SFA Children's Chorus and Junior Chorale, SFA orchestral students and the SFA ROTC. Representatives of all branches of the military will present the colors.
The Nacogdoches Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host a post-performance reception in Griffith Gallery, located across the hall from Turner Auditorium.
The auditorium and gallery are located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Dr., on the SFA campus.
Concert tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students.
For tickets or more information, please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.