Lessons from the Wind Ensemble

The ensemble, under the direction of Matthew McInturf, will perform a program of five pieces, each with an interesting background. Program notes will be provided to add to the audience's enjoyment of each.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Beto Criminal Justice Center's Killinger Auditorium.

The opening piece will be William Schuman's "Chester Overture," "the song of the American Revolution, sung around the campfires of the Continental Army and played by fifers on the march."

The second, "Prelude in the Dorian Mode, was composed by one of the 16th century's greatest keyboard performers and composers--Antonio de Cabezon. Blind from infancy, de Cabezon was composer and organist in the court of Charles and Isabella, and traveled throughout Europe with Phillip II.

Six short pieces make up "The Good Soldier Schweik Suite," a Robert Kurka work inspired by a book about a soldier in World War I who was forced to fight for a cause in which he did not believe.

"The Alcotts" is one of four movements of a piano sonata, with the movements bearing the names of famous mid-19th century residents of Concord, Mass. "The Alcotts," it is said, "is a section of simple and serene beauty and monumental character."

Finally, "Blue Shades" was written by Louisiana composer Frank Ticheli, now 40, incorporating within his own musical style his love of early jazz. It includes an extended clarinet solo recalling Benny Goodman's hot playing style.

Admission to the Wind Ensemble Concert is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free to Friends of Music and SHSU faculty, staff and students.

An Opera About a Snake

Performers will include Holly Walker as Clown, Kaylyn Cannon as Juggler, Michael Ellis as Strongman, and Michael Ervin as Sid. Also, Natasha Ospina as Senora, Micki Montie as Soprano, Amber Harbison (alto), Michael Ellis (bass), April Morrill and Chip Colvin as Travelers, and Alisse Wobser as Sally-Sue.

Mary Kay Lake will direct the production, with Heather Hamilton as coach/accompanist and Evelyn Thatcher as choreographer. The opera is a presentation of the Department of Music.

Tickets are $3 for students and $5 general admission. Friends of Music are admitted free, and membership information will be available.

John Paul Memorial

Participating artists include David Fleming, Heather Hamilton, Hiromi Matsunaga, Charlotte Tull and Jay Whatley. The program will include solo piano works by Bach, Chopin and Ginastera and compositions for piano-four hands.

Paul, who was a master teacher and performer at SHSU for 36 years, traditionally performed a concert each fall on the first Tuesday in October. Participants in Tuesday's recital said they decided to perform the recital in his memory, and to collect funds for the John Paul Endowed Scholarship.

The concert is free to students with identification and Friends of Music pass-holders. Tickets at the door are $5. All proceeds from the sale of tickets and additional tax-deductible contributions will go directly into the scholarship fund.

For further information about this and other upcoming music department events call 409-294-1360.

Teacher Job Fair

Charles Western, executive director of Student Support Services and director of SHSU's Department of Career Services, said that interest in the two Teacher Job Fairs held each year has been growing steadily, but only 86 districts were represented last fall.

Western credited increased efforts by his staff to contact districts not previously represented, more mailings to districts, and follow-up phone calls, as well as a current shortage of teachers, as reasons for the increased participation.

Dax Roberson, a student assistant in Career Services, said SHSU alumni and community residents are also welcome to participate. All should sign in on the second floor of the coliseum. Call Roberson at 409-294-3857 for more information.

'Firebird' Work Underway

The production, featuring the music of Igor Stravinsky, will premiere on the 1999 Dance Spectrum Spring Dances Concert April 30-May 2.

Huntsville school district fourth graders will be brought onto campus to view the piece as part of the Dance in the Schools Program offered by the SHSU Dance Program and supported by the Huntsville Arts Commission and Texas Commission on the Arts.

Huntsville school children were also treated to Nicolay's work beginning in the fall of 1996, when the Dance Program performed the second act of the holiday favorite "The Nutcracker." The next year (1997) a full-length production was performed.

The Dance Program plans to offer "The Nutcracker" in alternate years, with the next anticipated production scheduled in 1999.

KSHU Celebrating 25th Anniversary

Each Saturday, from 3-6 p.m., KSHU is broadcasting its "25th Anniversary Spectacular," hosted by Bud Foxx. The spectacular is a three-hour radio documentary on the history of KSHU as well as a look back through the station's programming over the years.

The program also features the "Silver KSHU Countdown," with one song each year from the years 1973 through 1997. Broadcast time on Oct. 31, SHSU's 1998 homecoming date, will be immediately after KSHU's broadcast of the homecoming football game.

History Department to Co-Sponsor Conference

The conference topic is "Millenarian Movements: Welcoming the End of History." Speakers will include James Olson and Terry Bilhartz from SHSU and others to be named.

The event begins at 5 p.m. Friday with registration and a barbecue dinner. Contact Tracy Steele, conference coordinator, at 409-294-1475 for information and registration materials.

Degree Applications

For additional information, contact Patricia Currie, associate registrar, at 409-294-1033.

Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Oct. 4, 1998
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