NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will open its 2011-2012 Cole Performing Arts Series with two performances that feature its newly acquired Steinway concert grand piano.
The instrument, selected at Steinway Hall in New York City, was purchased with a donation from California residents George and Peggy Schmidbauer, who for the past several years, have been generous supporters of the fine arts at SFA.
At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, the SFA piano faculty will perform solos, works written for four hands, as well as chamber music for piano and vocalists and for piano and strings.
Participating pianists include Mario Ajero, Mary Cooper, James Faucett, Geneva Fung, Ping-Ting Lan, Andrew Parr, Ron Petti, James Pitts, Jean E. Roberts and John N. Roberts. They will perform works by composers such as Johannes Brahms, Frèdèric Chopin, Franz Schubert and Maurice Ravel.
"This concert is an opportunity for the piano faculty to demonstrate to the community the beauty of this exceptional instrument," said Parr. "Please join us for a varied program."
At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, Fung and guest pianist Kiu Tung Poon, assistant professor at the University of Saint Joseph in Macua, China, will perform a program of piano works written for four hands.
Duets included on the program are Georges Bizet's "Children's Games" and Edvard Grieg's "Norwegian Dances." Fung and Poon will also play Franz Poulenc's "Sonata for Four Hands."
Both events will be held in Cole Concert Hall located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Dr. on the SFA campus.
Tickets for each performance are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors ad $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!