FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 23, 2004

SFA Symphonic Band and Chamber Winds to present concert

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University Symphonic Band and Chamber Winds will present a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, in W. M. Turner Auditorium.

The concert, "Wonderful Variations and Foreign Tones," will feature several works associated with the legendary Goldman Band, according to David Campo, SFA associate director of bands and the performing ensembles' director.

The Goldman Band, founded by Edwin Franko Goldman in 1909, made a huge impact on American band music through its series of free live concerts in New York City and radio broadcasts, Campo explained.

The Symphonic Band's portion of the program includes three of the most well known pieces in the Goldman Band's repertoire.

Camille de Nardis' "Universal Judgment" was arranged for the Goldman Band by Antonio Carrarella and is one of the earliest works for the band medium. It features "delicate woodwind chorales and soaring romantic melodies," Campo said.

The Symphonic band will also perform one of John Philip Sousa's most popular marches, "El Capitan," in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Sousa's birth.

A third piece on the Symphonic Band's program is J. S. Bach's "G Major Fantasia." Goldman was one of the first bandmasters to include Bach's works in his repertoire, and the trascription of "Fantasia" was undertaken by Goldman's son, Richard Franko Goldman, and Robert Leist as a memorial to the senior Goldman.

The Chamber Winds' program also includes a work inspired by the Goldman Band. After hearing the band perform at Goldman's 70th birthday, composer Robert Russell Bennett said he was motivated to write "Suite of Old American Dances" which includes "Cake Walk," "Schottische," "Western One-Step," "Wallflower Waltz" and "Rag."

The Chamber Winds will also perform Felix Mendelssohn's "Overture for Winds, Op. 24," Robert Washburn's "Concertino" and Edward Gregson's "Festivo."

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.