Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The University Band and the Symphonic Band at Stephen F. Austin State University will present the concert program "Inspiration" when the bands perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.
The selected works to be performed were inspired by folk songs and dances, tragic life events and the dream of flight, according to Dr. James Dreiling, interim assistant director of bands at SFA.
The University Band will open the concert with "Into the Clouds" by Richard Saucedo and guest conducted by graduate assistant Dwight Watson of Lavon.
"This lively fanfare is filled with rhythmic energy and was inspired by the composer's dream of flight," Dreiling said.
The University Band will also perform "Festivo" by Czech composer Vaclav Nelhybel and the popular ballad for band "As Summer Was Just Beginning" by Larry Daehn, who was inspired to write the piece following the untimely death of gifted actor James Dean. Graduate assistant Taylor Goodwin of Ennis will guest conduct.
The University Band will conclude its portion of the concert with the march "Liberty Fleet" by Karl L. King.
"Along with John Phillip Sousa and Henry Fillmore, King is known as one of the most prolific march composers, having composed more than 180 marches," Dreiling said. "This march, composed in 1942, is one of his lesser-known marches and was inspired by a fleet of war ships used in World War I."
The Symphonic Band opens the second half of the concert with "Westport Overture" composed by SFA music faculty member Dr. David Campo, director of the Lumberjack Marching Band, who "has a growing reputation as a composer for wind bands," Dreiling said. The Symphonic Band will also perform "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" by John Barnes Chance and "Heaven's Light" composed by Steven Reineke.
"This moving piece was commissioned by Evans High School in Evans, Georgia, after the death of high school band member Holly Spivey and her parents in a house fire," Dreiling explained.
The concert will conclude with the celebratory piece "Albanian Dance" by Shelley Hanson based on the popular Albanian folk tune "Shota," which seeks to re-create the festive mood of a raucous village dance, Dreiling said.
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.