NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA Bands will present the annual "Concert in the Park" beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28, on the lawn in front of the Wright Music Building on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.
All four concert bands will perform, according to Fred J. Allen, director of bands at SFA. A highlight of the concert will be the induction of SFA alumnus Jim C. Jones into the SFASU Band Directors' Hall of Fame.
Opening the concert will be the University Band, under the direction of graduate assistant Jay Weems along with David W. Campo, associate director of bands and director of the Lumberjack Marching Band.
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Tamey Anglley, assistant director of bands at SFA, will play "Black Horse Troop March" by John Philip Sousa and other pieces.
The Wind Symphony, also directed by Campo, will perform "Storm and Sunshine March" by J.C. Heed, among other numbers.
The Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Allen, will close the concert performing "Festive Overture" by Dmitri Shostakovich and "Battle Of Shiloh March" by C.L. Barnhouse.
The 2013 inductee into the SFASU Band Directors' Hall of Fame, Jones will conduct the Wind Ensemble in "Melody Shop March."
Originally from Gilmer and currently residing in Carthage, Jones taught at Center, Pittsburg, Cleveland and Carthage ISDs before retiring in 2009, having received 27 UIL Sweepstakes awards during his 36-year career. His bands have received numerous first-division ratings and Outstanding in Class awards at the National Association of Military Bands' state contest. Jones was a recipient the Demirus UIL award and selected to Outstanding Young Men of America. His bands have performed at Disneyland, Disney World, the nation's Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and the White House.
Jones attended Gilmer High School and Kilgore Junior College before earning bachelor's and master's degrees from SFA. While at SFA, he received the Outstanding Bandsman Award and was president of Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity. Jones was AAA state representative, president of the All Texas Small School Band Association, Texas Music Educators Association Region 10 band chairman, the Region 21 representative for the Music Advisory Committee and past chairman of the Southeast Texas Honor Band. He is a member of the UIL State Music Advisory Committee and current executive secretary and a past president of the National Association of Military Marching Bands. He is also president of the SFA Lumberjack Band Alumni.
Jones travels the state as a UIL adjudicator and honor band clinician. He has been associated with SFA in the evaluation of student teachers and currently works for Tatum Music Company.
Jones is the husband of Deanna Jones, father of Misty Hall and Jessica Anton, and stepfather to Cameron and Spence Burkert.
The "Concert in the Park" setting was created by SFA's Director of Bands Emeritus Melvin B. Montgomery. Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, honorary band service fraternity and sorority, will sell hamburger plates for $5 for a burger, chips and drink beginning at 1 p.m.
Admission to the concert is free. For additional information, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!