SFA fund-raising concert features multiple pianists, pianos

Piano faculty from the SFA School of Music and its Music Preparatory Division will perform during a scholarship benefit concert, "Pianists! Pianists! Pianists!" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in Cole Concert Hall. Pictured clockwise, from left, are Geneva Fung, Gene H. Moon, Ping-Ting Lan, James Pitts, Ron Petti, James Faucett, Mary Cooper, Jean Roberts, John Noel Roberts, Andrew Parr and Mario Ajero. Not pictured is Shirley Watterston.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - As many as 16 hands will be playing pianos simultaneously during the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music's piano scholarship fund-raiser concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in Cole Concert Hall.

"Pianists! Pianists! Pianists!" will feature faculty of the School of Music and its Music Preparatory Division: Mario Ajero, Mary Cooper, James Faucett, Geneva Fung, Ping-Ting Lan, Gene H. Moon, Andrew Parr, Ron Petti, James Pitts, Jean Roberts, John Noel Roberts and Shirley Watterston. Moon will also serve as master of ceremonies and conductor at the event.

"Throughout the evening, the performers will play up to five grand pianos simultaneously, with as many as eight pianists at once," Parr explained. "The audience will be familiar with many of the pieces, such as 'The William Tell Overture' and the overture to 'The Barber of Seville.'"

The centerpiece of the program, J.S. Bach's "Concerto in C Major for Three Pianos," will feature Parr, Jean Roberts and John Noel Roberts, along with music faculty and student members of the Piney Woods Camerata.

"The program also includes a work for pianists using oranges, and some other featured surprises," Parr added.

Proceeds from the biennial benefit concert are used to offer scholarships to SFA piano majors each year.

"Especially in these economic times there is a great need to support student scholarships," Parr explained. "Good academic standing will assure an entering student a substantial scholarship, but often it is the music talent scholarship from the School of Music that will be the deciding factor for a student coming to SFA to study. We need these scholarships to help attract talented pianists to our campus."

Regular tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for seniors. Students are admitted free. Patron tickets, which are available at several levels, include seats for up to 10 people and admission to a post-concert reception.

For tickets or more information, please call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Dr.