Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present a concert featuring the SFA Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Band with guest marimba artist and composer Mark Ford at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in Cole Concert Hall.

The first half of the concert will feature the SFA Percussion Ensemble performing Lynn Glassock's "No Exit" and two compositions written by Ford. "Stubernic" calls for three musicians playing on one marimba, explained Scott Harris, SFA assistant professor of percussion. "Through the course of the work, the performers have to play on non-traditional parts of the instrument as well as move around each other using choreographed movements."

"Head Talk" involves five players who play a variety of different sized drum heads (without the actual drums) and engage each other in "conversation," Harris continued.

Ford will be featured as a marimba soloist with the Percussion Ensemble performing Paul Bissell's "The Alabados Song."

During the second half of the program, the SFA Steel Drum Band will perform many of their favorite hits, including "Black Magic Woman," "Cha-Cha Sandwich" and the "Limbo."

The Steel Band will also perform student arrangements by seniors Kayla Roth of Lufkin and Joe Robinson of Dallas. Ford, who is an accomplished steel pan player, will join the band as a lead pan soloist.

The concert is the closing event of a two-day residency Ford will be giving at SFA.

"It's a great pleasure for me to bring Mark to campus and have him perform and collaborate with the SFA percussion studio," Harris said. "I've known Mark for over 15 years and have always been amazed at his teaching and performing."

Ford, who is the coordinator of percussion activities at The University of North Texas, is the director of one of the largest percussion programs in the United States. The marimba specialist has premiered a variety of new works for solo marimba, and he is the author of a marimba method book, "Marimba: Technique Through Music."

Tickets for the concert are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Cole Concert Hall is located at 2210 Alumni Drive on the SFA campus.