SFA To Host Percussion Recital

Scott Harris, instructor and director of percussion studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present a percussion recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in Cole Concert Hall.

"I’m calling this concert 'Nothing But Drums' because, as the title implies, it’s all about drums. I usually perform a lot of keyboard percussion solos on marimba, vibraphone and xylophone, but this time I’ll showcase exciting works for solo timpani, multiple percussion and drumset," Harris said.

In the first part of the program, Harris will perform three solos--"Therapy Suite" by John Serry, "Raga #1" by Bill Cahn, and "Six Ideas for Snare, Bass and Cymbals" by Dave Hollinden.

The last three pieces require accompaniments. Flutist Dr. Diane Boyd-Schultz, associate professor at SFA, will join Harris on Ingolf Dahl’s "Duettino Concertante."

"Oceanus" by Steve Houghton includes a prerecorded tape.

"While there’s not another person playing with me on stage, the tape adds an interesting element to my live performance. It includes a variety of synthesized sounds and effects," Harris said.

The SFA Percussion Ensemble will join Harris on David Mancini’s "Suite for Drumset and Percussion Ensemble."

"This energetic piece is divided into three different sections, a funk-rock opening, an Afro-Cuban middle and a Latin samba closing," Harris said.

As director of percussion studies at SFA, Harris directs the Percussion Ensemble and SFA Steel Band and oversees the Lumberjack Band Drumline.

Harris holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts and East Carolina University and is currently working on his doctorate in percussion performance from the University of Oklahoma.

He has performed and recorded with the Oklahoma Philharmonic, the 1991 World Champion Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps, and the professional steel drum band, Panama Steel.

Harris is a Yamaha artist and the associate editor of education for Percussive Notes, the official journal of the Percussive Arts Society.

The recital is a 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 more information, call (936) 468-6407 or 1-888-240-ARTS.

-30-