SFA Trombone Choir to perform eclectic program of works

The SFA Trombone Choir, directed by Dr. Deb Scott, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Trombone Choir at Stephen F. Austin State University will present an eclectic program of works composed in the last 50 years when the student ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone in the SFA School of Music, directs the 24-piece Trombone Choir, which will perform Irv Wagner's arrangement of "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," a Black spiritual dating to before the Civil War. Wagner was a long-time professor of trombone at the University of Oklahoma and Scott's friend. Wagner passed away last September.

"He was a terrific composer and arranger for trombone choir," Scott said. "The trombone choir will perform his arrangement of 'Every Time I Feel the Spirit' and his composition 'Royal Music' as a tribute to his influence and contributions to the trombone."

The concert will also feature Jack Wild's "Leviathan," which Scott describes as "beautifully composed for trombone choir, building to a rambunctious, fulfilling finish."

SFA's professor of composition Dr. Stephen Lias wrote a piece for the SFA Trombone Choir's feature concert at the 2010 International Trombone Festival. "Sequoia" will again be performed on this concert.

"Diversion for Six Trombones" by Fisher Tull will be performed by the full choir and is a standard of the repertoire due to its "beautiful harmonies and rhythmic challenges," Scott said.

The concert will close with "Trombocueca," composed by Ernesto Cortés for the Trombonanza Festival that is held each year in Santa Fe, Argentina. It features South American rhythms and melodies.

Concert tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. To purchase tickets, visit the SFA Fine Arts Box Office website or call (936) 468-6407. For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.