NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Orchestra of the Pines at Stephen F. Austin State University will present the final round of the annual Concerto/Aria Competition at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.
Each year, the SFA orchestra program hosts a concerto/aria competition inviting students to perform and vie for a spot as guest artist with the orchestra in the next concert season.
"The invitation as guest soloist is highly sought after and a very unique, sometimes once-in-a-lifetime experience for young musicians," said Gene H. Moon, director of orchestras at SFA. The competition highlights the most outstanding musicians in the School of Music, he added.
Prior to Thursday's event, each area of the School of Music held its own semi-final rounds, and each was allowed to move three finalists to the final round. The finalists are Carlos Prothow, trombone; Lingxiao Guo, piano; Scott Augustine, saxophone; Julie Moore, mezzo-soprano; Payton Andrews, violin; Tyler Thormählen, horn; Gary Jones and Cesar Montelongo, clarinets; Amanda Sheriff, soprano; Danny Chavera, tuba; Preston Patterson, viola; Teresa Powell, flute; and Juan Garza, baritone.
"The evening presents amazing musicianship," Moon said. "The finalists perform at the highest caliber and truly show the phenomenal character of our School of Music."
The concert is a presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building. For more information, contact the School of Music at (936) 468-4602.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!