Stone Fort Wind Quintet to perform program of woodwind favorites

The Stone Fort Wind Quintet at SFA features, from left, Charles Gavin, horn; Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Kerry Hughes, oboe; Christina Guenther, flute; and Lee Goodhew, bassoon. The ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Stone Fort Wind Quintet in a recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

This SFA music faculty chamber ensemble features Christina Guenther, flute; Kerry Hughes, oboe; Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Charles Gavin, horn; and Lee Goodhew, bassoon.

The program will include works by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Stacy Garrop, John R. Barrows and Carl Nielsen. Rameau's "Gavotte with Six Doubles" is based on the Baroque dance form Gavotte, and each double features a member of the quintet. Barrows' "March" for Woodwind Quintet is "a short, light, spirited march, sure to be a crowd pleaser," according to ensemble member Guenther.

SFA bass instructor Carlos Gaviria will join the quintet for Garrop's "Bohemian Café" for Woodwind Quintet and Bass. James Ginsburg, president of Cedille Records, asked Garrop to compose a piece in celebration of the label's 25th anniversary and suggested writing it for a woodwind quintet with the addition of a double bass.

Of the piece, Garrop writes: "I employ the musicians in various groupings to portray different styles of music. I named the piece 'Bohemian Café,' for when I hear it, I picture myself sitting at an outdoor café in a plaza in Prague, drinking coffee, watching street musicians set up around the plaza, and listening to assorted strands of music wafting through the air."

The concert will close with Nielsen's Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon, which Guenther described as "a huge standard and a favorite of all woodwind quintets." The thickly orchestrated and at times playful first movement, Allegro ben moderato, presents recognizable, repeated themes and is followed by a lighter second movement, Menuet. The third and final movement, Praeludium, is an introduction, theme and variations. The introduction features an English Horn solo.

"The variations feature combinations or solo members of the ensemble and range from rich and lush to light and playful in character," Guenther explained. "The piece as a whole uses brilliant instrument pairings in melodic ways and in accompaniment, providing a wide range of sound colors and moods."

The concert is part of the Cole Performing Arts Series. 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 (888) 240-ARTS or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.