NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Fifteen students in the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music were selected for TMEA All-Region High School Orchestra and Middle School Orchestra.

Qualifying for the high school orchestra were Holden Kelly, Luke Scala, Haylee Harman, Sabrina Flores, McKenzie Ellison, Karys Alders, Kira Gallander, Josue Morales, Will Sams, Grace Hao and Mason Baker, who also earned principal bass position and advanced to the state audition.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin State University bands will present the annual Kaleidoscope concert featuring all three concert bands and multiple faculty and student chamber ensembles at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, in the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus.

The idea of a “kaleidoscope” concert is for there to be no breaks between performers to make it “a seamless concert switching from one group to the next,” according to Dr. Tamey Anglley, director of bands at SFA.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Jacks of Steel at Stephen F. Austin State University will present the ensemble’s fall program at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Under the direction of Dr. James Vilseck, adjunct professor of percussion in the SFA School of Music, the steel band will perform a program that features “an energetic combination of traditional calypsos, sambas and popular music.”

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University will welcome Marine Corps trombonist Gunnery Sgt. Ken Ebo to perform on a concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Angelina County Lumber Company log car located outside of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Forestry Building will be transported Friday, Nov. 12, to the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf, Louisiana. It will join other historic structures and machinery at the museum that has been recognized as the most complete historic sawmill complex in the Southern U.S. 

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Dr. I-Kuai Hung, Lacy H. Hunt Professor of geospatial sciences at Stephen F. Austin State University, was awarded the 2021 Carl Alwin Schenck Award from the Society of American Foresters during the virtual SAF National Convention held the first week of November.

The national award recognizes individuals who display a notable and sustained record of excellence in forestry education through outstanding service to the field and the development of dynamic, personal teaching methods.

Stephen F. Austin State University launched the public phase of its $100 million fundraising campaign in conjunction with Homecoming activities on Friday and announced plans to rename the College of Fine Arts in honor of a longtime Nacogdoches resident who had a deep love of the community and the arts. 

The new name, the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, was approved by SFA’s Board of Regents and recognizes the longtime support of the Elliott family and a recent gift of $8 million pledged to support scholarships for fine arts students.  

Two administrators new to Stephen F. Austin State University were among the appointments approved by its Board of Regents during the group’s quarterly meeting Monday.

Andrew Dies was named assistant vice president of student affairs and dean of students. Dies previously served as dean of students at Northern Arizona University, where he was chief student conduct officer and the primary contact for students in crisis, in addition to serving on the emergency management team and the academic standards committee.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents approved a recommendation to move the dance program from the James I. Perkins College of Education to the College of Fine Arts. Dance will join the School of Theatre, and the name of the school will be changed to the School of Theatre and Dance. 

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stone Fort Wind Quintet at Stephen F. Austin State University will present its fall recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The quintet is comprised of SFA School of Music faculty members Christina Guenther, flute; Graham Mackenzie, oboe; Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Andrea Denis, horn; and Margaret Fay, bassoon.

This concert of the Stone Fort Wind Quintet is the premiere performance for three new faculty members – Mackenzie, Denis and Fay.