Variety of compositions featured in SFA Percussion Ensemble's fall concert

The annual fall concert of the SFA Percussion Ensemble is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in Cole Concert Hall as part of the SFA School of Music's Concert Series.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music's Percussion Ensemble will perform its annual fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The 14-member ensemble is comprised of graduate and undergraduate music majors and is directed by Brad Meyer, SFA interim director of percussion studies.

"The concert is sure to appeal to any type of listener," Meyer said. "Compositions will range from bombastic and raucous drum music to light and delicate keyboard pieces."

James Campbell's "Terra-Cotta Warriors" illustrates the massive underground clay army built for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. A trio of percussionists performing Campbell's composition will play various exotic instruments, such as terra-cotta pots, bull roar and ocean harp. "Doors," written by Dave Hall, is a large ensemble, utilizing almost the entire group of percussionists and involves Caribbean steel drums.

Meyer described "Metroplex Drive" by Swedish composer Anders Astrand as "a grooving tune" loosely based around jazz chord structures. The piece will feature Austin senior David Conger and Wylie junior Rachel Krevat as vibraphone soloists.

Scott Harris, interim director of the SFA School of Music, will guest conduct Christopher Deane's "The Manes Scroll," which utilizes melodic percussion instruments, such as marimba, vibraphone and crotales, and is "a sonic masterpiece with varying layers of depth and intensity," Meyer said.

"Also, the percussion ensemble will be performing Deane's contemporary and powerful piece 'Parallel Isometry,' which utilizes intense blocks of sound created by both drum and keyboard instruments," Meyer said. "Lastly, Brett William Dietz's 'Fanfare for the Return of Shadow' clashes eight percussionists playing drums and cymbals against each other in a multi-meter brawl for sonic dominance."

The Percussion Ensemble's performance is part of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music's Concert Series. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407.