April 12, 2005 – Sylvia Bierschenk

SFA Percussion Ensemble to perform

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University Percussion Ensemble will present its annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, in Cole Concert Hall.

Dr. Scott Harris, SFA assistant professor of music, directs the 16-member ensemble comprised of music and non-music majors.

The concert will open with Alexander Lepak's "Crescendo," an exciting and aggressive drum piece, according to Harris.

"The work is unique in that it is literally one long crescendo, from beginning to end. It starts with one lone conga player and ends with 12 players playing as loud as possible," Harris explained.

A highlight of the program will be the world premiere of "On the High Chisos" by Stephen Lias, SFA assistant professor of music. Written for 10 percussionists, the piece was commissioned by Phi Beta Roota, the service fraternity that sponsors the SFA Percussion Studio, Steel Band and Lumberjack Drumline.

Harrell Hodges, graduate student from Kerrville, will be featured on John Beck's "Concerto for Solo Timpani and Percussion Ensemble," and the entire ensemble will present an "energetic rendition" of Aram Khachaturian's classic "Sabre Dance," Harris said.

The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the Department of Music.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or 888-240-ARTS.