"Most people think of the saxophone primarily as a jazz instrument," said Donald Thoede, one of the concert performers. "Anyone who is interested in hearing the many other facets of the instrument's capabilities will have a fine evening of listening."
Performing with Thoede, who is a saxophone instructor, will be Heather Hamilton, a member of the music faculty who teaches class piano and serves as an accompanist for the Opera Workshop.
Tuesday's program will include the music of two French composers, Pierre Dubois and Jacques Ibert, as well as a work by the contemporary American composer Ned Rorem.
Thoede received his undergraduate music degree at Sam Houston State, where he was a student of Harley Rex. He earned his master of music degree from the University of Michigan in 1992.
The Music Department concert admission fee is $5 for adults. Admission is free for students in grades K-12 and for SHSU students with current identification.
The 58-member orchestra, with Carol Smith conducting and Tom Soare as narrator, will present two programs at the Oak Ridge Baptist Church. Smith said the church is being used by the Conroe district because of its large seating capacity.
Smith said that the concerts, titled "That Amazing Music Machine," will show off different orchestral instruments and sections, with major orchestral works being performed as examples.
A similar program is scheduled for the Huntsville school district in April.
Lynn White-Longmire, Extended Learning director, said that the workshop will mark Black's first Texas appearance in 10 years. She has produced 15 films and videos, authored books, appeared on national television shows, and been featured in numerous publications.
Black has also won national awards, is past chairperson of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, and now serves on that organization's advisory board.
The workshop is designed for health and human service professionals. It will address the coexistence of sexual abuse and chemical dependency in adult children/adult survivors, foundational recovery, and anger. Call 294-3869 for more information.
The group works with colleges and universities that train school librarians.
Pichette has also been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors and the executive committee of the Texas Association for Educational Technology. The role of that association is to improve instruction through effective use of educational technology.
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