Dr. A.C. "Buddy" Himes, dean of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts, Mayor Roger Van Horn and the corporate sponsors for the recent Winners' Circle fund-raiser

Dr. A.C. "Buddy" Himes (far right), dean of the Stephen F.

Stephen F. Austin State University is seeking thoughts and opinions from the surrounding community to implement a plan to enhance student learning.

A steering committee will choose a topic, based on input from the SFA community, for the Quality Enhancement Plan, a carefully designed, focused course of action to improve the quality of the collegiate experience for students and increase the value of an SFA degree.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - East Texans of all ages can enjoy the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre's student-directed production of A.A. Milne's "The Ugly Duckling" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. All shows are in the Downstage Theatre of the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

The delightful story of a king, queen, their plain daughter and a daring prince is full of imposters, secrets and romance, said Brenham senior Kristi Young, the play's director.

Mark Camphouse will be the guest conductor during "An Evening with Mark Camphouse," a joint concert of the SFA Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

NACOGDCHES, TEXAS - Mark Camphouse, professor of music at George Mason University, will be the featured composer and conductor during the joint concert of the Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band at 7:30 p.m.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Four world-class musicians who comprise the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will present an evening of French music at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, in W.M. Turner Auditorium as part of the Stephen F. Austin State University's 2009-2010 "Ovation Season."

The "French Focus" concert features works by Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Olivier Messiaen. The Chamber Music Society's acclaimed performers include pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, violinist Ani Kavafian, cellist Nicolas Alstaedt and clarinetist David Shifrin.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces jazz bands in a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

Under the direction of Deb Scott, SFA assistant professor of music, the Swingin' Aces will present a varied program that includes several arrangements by Sammy Nestico.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present two guest artist recitals on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.

The Red River Woodwind Quintet, composed of the principal flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon players of the Shreveport Symphony, will perform at 6 p.m. in Cole Concert Hall. At 7:30 p.m., George Palton of Marshall University will present a guest tuba recital in the Music Recital Hall, Room 160.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music invites the community to see its new Music Prep House at 3028 Raguet St. from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.

The structure, which was formerly owned by the Bomar family, has been renovated to accommodate the Music Preparatory Division that provides private and group music lessons to approximately 200 area children each semester.

Mark Wolf, a direct descendent of one of the survivors of the 1758 massacre at Mission San Sabá, will give a presentation titled "Jacales: Spanish Colonial Vernacular Architecture" during Texas Archaeology Month.

The talk will focus on the jacales, or huts, that were commonly inhabited during the 1700s and 1800s. Archaeological, historical and ethnographic information about jacales will be presented, and photographs of jacales that existed in the late 1800s and early 1900s in Texas will be displayed.