Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present Cello Day on the university campus Sunday, Oct. 29.
The day’s activities will feature cellist Angelika Machnik-Jones, founder and director of the Oklahoma Conservatory of Music, presenting a lecture, master class and concert, according to Dr. Evgeni Raychev, SFA music faculty member and cellist.
Beginning at 1 p.m., Machnik-Jones will discuss “Music Careers: Thinking Outside the Box," followed by presenting a cello master class for students at 2 p.m. A concert titled “From Darkness” is at 6 p.m. and features performances of works by Krzysztif Penderecki, Caroline Shaw, Pēteris Vasks, Arvo Pärt and Kirstine Kaiser-Lindemann. The concert will conclude with a cello ensemble composition featuring Cello Club, directed by Evgeni Raychev.
Known for her versatile and thought-provoking performances, Polish-American cellist Machnik-Jones combines artistic mediums in order to achieve memorable experiences and bridge the gap between the artist and the audience. As a founder and artistic director of the Soluna Concert Series, she has been collaborating with Oklahoma musicians, artists and concert venues, curating unique concerts, which merge the music with the visual effect and the spoken word.
In addition to a multitude of special projects and concerts, Machnik-Jones holds a busy schedule as a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, recitalist and chamber musician. Her performances have taken her throughout many concert halls in the United States, her native Poland and Germany. She has been featured as a soloist with such orchestras as Fort Smith Symphony, Hays Symphony Orchestra, Delta Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, Norman Civic Symphony Orchestra and Oklahoma Community Orchestra. She has performed in multiple summer festivals, including the Texas Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, Eastern Music Festival, Mimir Chamber Music Festival and Lancut International Music Festival. She has also been a winner of such competitions as Bacewicz International Chamber Music Competition, Crescendo Music Awards, Gordon Parks Concerto Competition, Hubbard Solo and Chamber Music Competition, and Hays Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.
Admission to the day’s activities and concert is free. For more information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.