Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Orchestra of the Pines at Stephen F. Austin State University will welcome guest artists when the ensemble performs the program "Curtain Raisers" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
Conducted by Dr. Gene Moon, director of orchestras at SFA, and guest conductors, the Orchestra of the Pines will present three well-known works, including Leonard Bernstein's Overture to "Candide," Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor and Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor.
Starting the program, SFA Assistant Director of Bands Dr. Tamey Anglley will take the orchestra through a spirited performance of Overture to "Candide."
"Dr. Anglley is a masterful technician on the podium who captures the essence of the music, inspires the orchestra and will assuredly captivate the audience," Moon said. "The Overture to 'Candide,' written by one of the most world-renowned American composers and conductors, has always been very well-received and is a classic curtain raiser and show starter."
Dr. Jennifer Dalmas, SFA associate professor of violin and viola, will join the orchestra as guest soloist on the Bruch concerto.
"Dr. Dalmas is a brilliant musician whose virtuosity and musicality is of the top echelon of artists," Moon said. "Her solo performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in 2008 has remained one of the highlights of my time with the SFA orchestra. I am equally looking forward to her performance of the Bruch. Everyone who has the chance to see her perform live as a concerto soloist should never miss it."
For the colossal Symphony No. 5 by Tchaikovsky, SFA graduate student Jeff Leung will conduct the orchestra.
"This is one of Jeff's fondest works - one he knows well and has a very strong interpretation and handle upon," Moon said. "It is not everyday that one would see a graduate student, let alone a masters level student, take a podium for such a monumental work. However, Jeff continues to prove himself as a leader amongst young conductors, and he has a bright future ahead of him."
In addition to conducting the Bruch concerto, Moon will assume a different role for this concert.
"For the Bernstein and Tchaikovsky pieces, I will be joining the ranks of the first violin section," he said. "As a conductor for over a decade, I have missed playing in the orchestra and have rekindled an old flame, and I hope this will not be the last of such performances.
"Tchaikovsky is most known for his symphonies and perhaps his violin concerto," Moon said. "Of the six symphonies, his fifth is probably also the most well-known, especially with its memorable slow movement which features a famous horn solo. Over the past couple years, I have had multiple requests by students to program this work so they may learn and perform it. I'm happy that we will have that opportunity at this concert, and I look forward to playing in it and playing under my student's baton."
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.