TAMIU Symphonic Band Concert Set Sunday

How about a Sunday afternoon filled with great music?

Join the Texas A&M International University Symphonic Band in concert, Sunday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Recital Hall.

Admission is free and open to the public.

With this concert, the TAMIU Symphonic Band will conclude its mini-tour, which included performances in LBJ High School, Martin High School, Alexander High School and La Joya High School.

"The band is playing some of the most difficult college-level music written. The feature number is the "Poema Alpestre," by Franco Cesarini, a 23-minute tone poem written in the style of the famous composer, Richard Strauss. Numerous solistic moments occur throughout the composition," explained Dr. Michael Stone, director of bands.

The concert begins with the unusual but entertaining "Gavorkna Fanfare," by Jack Stamp and continues with James Curnow's "Down From the Shimmering Sky," which was composed as a result of Curnow's visit to an exhibit of ceremonial masks of the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest Coast at Vancouver Art Gallery.

Also in the program: "British Eighth," by Zo Elliot, commissioned and dedicated to the members of the immortal British Eighth Army; "Songs of Sailor and Sea" by Robert W. Smith, which celebrates man's eternal fascination with the sea and the centuries of seamen who have battled its powerful waves and mysterious depths; "The Battle of Shiloh March," written and published originally in 1888 and one of the most unique marches ever written by C.L. Barnhouse and arranged by J. Paynter and  "Poema Alpestre."

The TAMIU Symphonic Band is comprised mostly of music majors in the department of fine and performing arts, a few highly talented high school students and community members. This 65-member ensemble started out with 10 members less than two years ago.

For more information, please contact Dr. Stone at 326.2640, e-mail mstone@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the CFPA 233B.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu