Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Symphonic Band and the University Band at Stephen F. Austin State University will present “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue” featuring music faculty and student and community ensemble performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.
“The concert theme is taken from a traditional old English wedding rhyme, and each piece on the program represents at least one idea from the rhyme,” said Dr. Chris Kaatz, assistant director of bands at SFA and director of the Symphonic Band.
The University Band, led by graduate student conductors Amanda Bruner of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Miranda de Bruin of Muleshoe, opens the concert with something “old,” Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Flourish for Wind Band.” “This brief yet regal piece is one of the oldest pieces in the concert band repertoire by a master 20th century English composer,” Kaatz said.
Eric Whitacre’s “Sleep” represents something “borrowed,” in terms of both the composition and guest performers. “This harmonically lush and lyrical work was originally written for choir and arranged for band by the composer himself,” Kaatz explained. “Sleep” will be led by SFA Associate Choral Director Dr. Tod Fish conducting the combined forces of the Symphonic Band, SFA’s Kantorei and Singin’ Axes and the community Stone Fort Chorale.
The program will feature guest soloists and percussion professors Dr. Brad Meyer and Dr. Jamie Vilseck who will perform on “Wu Xing,” an exciting work by prolific wind band composer James Syler. This concerto for two percussionists and wind ensemble represents something “new” on the concert, Kaatz explained.
Other Symphonic Band program highlights include performances of “March Blue Sky Dream” by Manabu Yato and “D’un matin de printemps” by Lili Boulanger, arranged by Jack Hontz.
The University Band will also perform “Blue and Green Music” by Samuel R. Hazo; “Hands Across the Sea” by John Phillip Sousa, arranged by Jerry Brubaker; “Horkstow Grange” by Percy Aldridge Grainger, arranged by Michael Sweeney, with Dr. Daniel Haddad, associate director of bands at SFA, as guest conductor; and “Sunlight Dancing” by Robert Buckley.
Concert tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. Visit the SFA Fine Arts Box Office website or call (936) 468-6407 for tickets. For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.