October 4, 2005 – Sylvia Bierschenk

Wind Ensemble concert features Charles Gavin

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Charles Gavin, professor of music at Stephen F. Austin State University, will be the featured horn soloist during the SFA Wind Ensemble concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in W. M. Turner Auditorium.

Gavin will perform "Shindig" by Daniel Godfrey, composer-in-residence at Syracuse University. The composer describes the piece as "something akin to a big barn dance; the soloist plays the braggart, the blow hard (forgive the pun), continually sounding off, cutting in, and demanding the center stage; the rest of the ensemble willingly plays along with all this, at times giving over to it completely."

Gavin has been a member of the SFA faculty since 1984. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he maintains an active performing schedule. He is currently principal horn with the Orchestra of the Pines and the Rapides Symphony Orchestra. He is a member of the Stone Fort Wind Quintet, the Pineywoods Brass Quintet and the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra. He was a soloist at the 23rd International Horn Symposium and regularly performs at regional horn workshops.

The Wind Ensemble will also perform "In Wartime" by American composer David Del Tredici.

"This is a monumental piece for the Wind Ensemble to perform," said Fred J. Allen, SFA director of bands and the ensemble's conductor. "Though it has reflections of a country at war, it remains somewhat hopeful."

David W. Campo, associate director of bands at SFA, will guest conduct "Dies Natalis" by Howard Hanson, and the band will also perform Ron Nelson's "Savannah River Holiday."

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