April 13, 2006– Sylvia Bierschenk

Bands present 'Concert in the Park'

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - East Texans can enjoy a free band concert on Sunday, April 23, as the Stephen F. Austin State University bands present their annual Concert in the Park at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 23, outside Cole Concert Hall on the university campus.

The Concert Band, under the direction of Kevin Whitelaw, graduate student from Grand Rapids, Mich., will open the program, followed by the Symphonic Band under the direction of Fred J. Allen, SFA director of bands, and Steve Moreland, Hallsville graduate student.

The Chamber Winds, directed by David W. Campo, SFA associate director of bands, will continue the concert, performing portions of "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff.

Closing the concert will be the Wind Ensemble, directed by Allen. In addition to marches and other familiar tunes, the band will play "Dance of the Jesters" by Tchaikovsky and "Lux Aurumque" by Eric Whitacre.

Beginning at 1 p.m., Kappa Kappa Psi, a band service fraternity, will sell hamburger plates for $5.

"This has been a popular annual event since it was begun in the 1970s by Melvin B. Montgomery, director of bands emeritus," said Allen. "We invite members of the community to bring their blanket or lawn chairs and join us in this fine tradition."

The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in Wright Music Building Room 121.