Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Dr. Jamie Vilseck, percussion faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present a concert featuring Joseph Schwantner’s landmark work “Velocities” at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in Cole Concert Hall, Wright Music Building, on the SFA campus.
Vilseck’s repertoire for this concert includes “challenging literature covering a breadth of percussion instruments,” he said.
“The goal of the recital is to appropriately challenge myself, expand my repertoire, utilize various technology, and explore music that represents composers of diverse backgrounds,” Vilseck said. “Performed together, this group of pieces represents virtuosity, expression and a healthy selection of modern music.”
An intense moto perpetuo for marimba, “Velocities” was one of three pieces composed by non-percussionists as part of a commissioning grant in 1986 with the purpose of bringing attention to the potential of the marimba as a solo concert instrument.
“At the time of its composition, solo marimba literature was still greatly developing,” Vilseck said. “‘Velocities’ has stood the test of time and remains as one of the most prominent works for solo marimba.”
Another work that will be known by some audience members is “The Swan” by Camille Saint-Saëns. A movement of his well-known work “The Carnival of the Animals,” “The Swan” was arranged for solo vibraphone by Vilseck.
“It was a project that was originally started during COVID lockdowns, and I recently pulled it back out, refined and prepared it for performance,” he said. “The long flowing melodies of the cello part along with the light piano accompaniments from the original work translate well to the vibraphone.”
Other works on the concert include “Seven to Queens” by Andrew Beall; “Nostalgia” by Vincent Ho; “Ghost in the Machine” by Amy Beth Kirsten; and “What I Know” by Connor Shafran.
Concert tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. To purchase tickets, visit the SFA Fine Arts Box Office website or call (936) 468-6407. For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.