Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –The SFA Percussion Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
Directed by Dr. Brad Meyer, director of percussion studies for the SFA School of Music, the student ensemble will perform works by Caleb Pickering, Ney Rosauro, Lynn Glassock, Nathan Daughtrey and Casey Cangelosi.
Pickering describes his “Powder Keg” as a high-energy keyboard quartet scored for two vibraphones and two marimbas. He writes, “The work is explosive in nature (pun intended) and shifts between rhythmic and harmonic stability and instability throughout, with the main motives remaining mostly intact and as a common thread throughout.”
Freshman Kevin Schultz of Wichita Falls is featured on marimba on Rosauro’s Prelude No. 2 written as a homage to the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa Lobos, who Rosauro says continues to inspire and motivate him to “write music with Brazilian roots.”
Glassock’s “Layers” is a programmatic composition that explores the use of layered textures, rhythms and melodies. Through the use of staggered entrances of repeated musical material, Glassock “creates an auditory kaleidoscope for the audience to experience,” according to Meyer.
Two works by Daughtrey, “Encantata” and “Limerick Daydreams,” are on the program. “Encantata” features Palestine junior Briley Patterson on vibraphone. The piece is based on harmonic material from the first movement of the composer’s Concerto for Vibraphone. The title (meaning “enchanted”) is derived from the poem “La Luz Encantada” (“Enchanted Light”) by Pablo Neruda. Daughtrey writes, “While the piece is harmonically very chromatic, it is filled with beautiful, memorable melodies that attempt to capture the wonder of this poignant poem. The slow and rubato nature of ‘Encantada’ is a very different representation of the poem than the vibe concerto, which is very bright and sparkling.”
“Limerick Daydreams” was the second-place winner of the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International Composition Congest. The 12-minute work scored for 10 percussionists is based on the Irish reel, “Highway to Limerick.”
Junior Kurt Swisher of Tyler is featured on marimba on Cangelosi’s “Second Character,” which is described as “full of life and energy.” Cangelosi includes markings such as "fury" and "with fire" in the score to help give the performer added incentive and inspiration to bring this piece to life during each performance, according to program notes.
Concert 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.