Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony in a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Under the direction of Brett A. Richardson, SFA assistant director of bands, the Symphonic Band will open the concert with Dana Wilson's "Shortcut Home," a work the composer describes as "a rousing and elaborate fanfare that features each section of the ensemble."

Ronnie Pruitt, Hemphill graduate assistant, will guest conduct the band in presenting Percy Grainger's "Australian Up-Country Tune," and Richardson will return to the podium to conduct Carolyn Bremer's "Early Light," a work largely derived from "The Star-Spangled Banner" but inspired by the composer's "feelings of happy anticipation at hearing the anthem played before (base)ball games."

The Wind Symphony, under the direction of Davd W. Campo, SFA associate director of bands, will open its portion of the program with Samuel Hazo's "Ride" and Merlin Patterson's band arrangement of the "Nessun Dorma" aria from Giacomo Puccini's opera, "Turandot."

The Wind Symphony will close the concert with William Schuman's "George Washington Bridge," a piece the composer said was inspired by his almost daily view of the New York bridge. "(It) has had for me an almost human personality, and this personality is astonishingly varied, assuming different moods depending on the time of day or night, the weather, the traffic and, of course, my own mood as I pass by."

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.