SHSU Update for Week of Feb. 27

• 'Freelance Pianist' Returns for Concert
• Sammy Awards Nominations Due
• SHSU Joins In March 2 Tributes
• Saturdays@Sam Set for March 25
• Small Business Development Center Courses
• Chorale Concert is Thursday
• Bearkat Roundup
• Summer Grads Must Apply

'Freelance Pianist' Returns for Concert

Andrews, a former student of the late piano instructor John Paul, returns to the Sam Houston State University campus for a Tuesday (Feb. 29) concert with Hiromi Matsunaga, who also studied with Dr. Paul and who is now on the SHSU music faculty.

"I think it will be inspiring for the students to see and hear a former Sam Houston State University student who is actually doing well in New York," said Matsunaga.

Andrews and Matsunaga have previously performed together in New York City, but this will be their debut using two pianos. The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium.

The program will include Andrews performing Joseph Haydn's "Sonata in C Major," Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Five Song Transcriptions," and John Powell's "Variations and Double Fugue on a Theme of F. C. Hahr."

"The Powell piece is unpublished," said Andrews. "No one will have heard it."

Andrews and Matsunaga will close the concert with Johannes Brahms' "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" and Darius Milhaud's "'Scaramouche' for Two Pianos."

As a freelance pianist, Andrews appears frequently in solo piano, vocal, and chamber music recitals. He also works on the accompanying staff at the Manhattan School of Music and teaches piano at the Caedmon School in New York and the Mustard Seed School in Hoboken, New Jersey.

He has performed for the St. Mary's Castleton Recital Series, with the West Park Chamber Society, St. Peter's Church Concert Series, the Liederkranz, the Ground Base Artist Series, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the St. Paul's Festival of the Arts, and the Boys Choir of Harlem, with whom he toured a great part of the United States.

In 1998 he gave a collaborative recital with SHSU faculty member Rebecca Hicks and a master class for SHSU students. He also gives solo recitals annually at the Museum of East Texas culture in Palestine.

After studying at Sam Houston State, he earned bachelor and master of music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, and has a number of competition honors.

Matsunaga has performed extensively in the United States and her native Japan. She presented her New York recital debut at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in 1994, receiving high critical acclaim. She has also performed recently in Japan, Hong Kong and Columbia.

She has given a number of performances in Texas, including a recital sponsored by the consulate general of Japan in Houston and a recent appearance with the Woodlands Symphony. She has appeared in numerous duo and chamber music recitals, and has a number of competition honors.

She has been on the SHSU music faculty since 1998, after receiving her bachelor's degree at Sam Houston State and her master's and doctoral degrees at the Manhattan School of Music.

Sammy Awards Nominations Due

The presentation ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 19 in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium. The ceremony will include individual awards, organization awards, and Sammy awards.

Awards will be presented to those outstanding as: First Year, Sophomore and Junior Student Leaders, Advisor, Non-Traditional Student Leader, New Student Organization, Community Service Organization and Student Organization.

Also, Cultural Organization, Honorary Organization, Academic Organization, Special Interest Organization, Religious Organization, Social Fraternity and Sorority, and Community Service Project.

The senior male and female students who have made the most outstanding contributions to overall student life at SHSU will be presented the Creager Memorial Award and McDermett Memorial Award, named in honor of former deans of men and women.

The Sammy itself, a Bearkat-shaped statuette, will be presented to approximately 10 graduating students and five faculty/staff members for outstanding contributions and service to the university above and beyond the call of duty.

Nomination forms are available on line or in the Department of Student Activities in Lowman Student Center Suite 316. Call 936.294.3861 for information.

SHSU Joins in March 2 Tributes

Sam Houston State University's Sam Houston Memorial Museum, the Sam Houston Statue and Visitors Center (home of the 67-foot tall Tribute To Courage statue of Sam Houston, the world's tallest statue of an American hero), and the Walker County Historical Commission, are all participating in the celebration. The day's events include:

• A reception from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Gibbs-Powell Home Museum, 1228 11th Street;
• A ceremony at General Sam Houston's burial site in Oakwood Cemetery, Spur 94 and 9th Street, at 11 a.m., with Larry Oaks, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission as speaker;
• A luncheon at the Walker Education Center in the Sam Houston Memorial Museum complex;
• A Toast to Texas at the Sam Houston Statue and Visitors Center, with birthday cake and refreshments, at 2 p.m. For more information, call 936.294.1832.

Saturdays@Sam Set for March 25

The day's events will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., beginning at Johnson Coliseum.

Participants, including parents and friends of prospective students, will hear presentations on SHSU and college life and have an opportunity to visit with professors and representatives from Financial Aid, Residence Life, Student Orientation, Student Life and Undergraduate Admissions.

Volunteers are also needed to serve as tour guides, session guides, greeters, and for other duties. Volunteers will meet either March 7 or March 22, at either 4 or 6 p.m. both days.

Potential students who would like to attend or current students who would like to volunteer should call the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 936.294.1828 or 936.294.1844.

Small Business Development Center Courses

Working With Windows (Level II) will be presented from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 29). Its fee is $25. Web Page Design is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3, with a fee of $35, and Advertising Tips from 6-9 p.m. March 2, with a fee of $15.

The March 7 course will be Filing Your Company's Income Tax Return, from 6-9 p.m., with a $15 fee. All of the courses are scheduled for the Small Business Development Center, 2424 Sam Houston Avenue. Call 936.294.3737 for information.

Chorale Concert is Thursday

"It's just a terrific concert," Barrett said. "I believe that everyone who comes will really enjoy it."

The SHSU Chorale is the Department of Music's premier vocal ensemble. The Chorale has a distinguished history and enjoys a reputation of long standing for its stirring performances. The choir tours regularly and has frequently appeared at both regional and national professional conventions. Tickets for the concert are $5.

Bearkat Roundup

The event is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Friday (March 3) in Room 109 of the Astrohall, Main Club.

"This will be a great opportunity for our graduates to get together, especially those in the agricultural fields," said Theresa Bledsoe, director of Alumni Relations. "We hope that everyone from the university and community will attend if they can."

For more information, call 936.294.1841.

Summer Grads Must Apply

The applications may be filed in the Registrar's Office, which is located in White Hall. Call 936.294.1033 for information.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Feb. 27, 2000
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