fine arts

The Texas State Mainstage Theatre season concluded with a performance of Kiss Me Kate.

Texas State’s Department of Theatre and Dance put on Cole Porter’s comedic musical April 21-26. The musical was directed and choreographed by Cassie Abate, assistant professor, and was performed at the Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre.

The musical follows the story of divorced couple, Fred and Lilli, who are actors in a production of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The two perform the lead roles, Katherine and Petruchio, which causes chaos and comedy within the production.   

Music buffs, students, faculty and staff gathered Tuesday to listen to the musical workings of Texas State jazz artists.

The performance by the Texas State Jazz Artists Septet was the final event of the International Concert Series presented by the School of Music. This event was held in the Performing Arts Center.

Washington García, associate professor of piano and assistant director of the School of Music, said he is the founder and artistic director of the International Concert Series. García said the series is intended to expose the community to new styles of music and support the school.

Members of the Percussion Ensemble and Panorama Steel Band showcased their talents in an end-of-the-year performance April 13 through April 15 in Evans Auditorium.

Genaro Gonzalez, professor in the School of Music and percussion coordinator, said students developed the performance pieces throughout the semester.

There were two performances separated by an intermission: one by a percussion ensemble and another by the Panorama Steel Band.

Gonzalez said the percussion ensemble features eight students, primarily music majors, ranging from freshmen to seniors.

“The percussion ensemble plays a lot of different instruments,” Gonzalez said. “They play the marimbas, xylophones, battery percussion instruments, including tambourines and symbols, and a drum set.”

Award-winning novelist Ben Fountain read and signed copies of his new book, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, at Texas State’s Wittliff Collection on April 7.

Fountain, University Endowed Chair in Creative Writing, said BBC named the novel as one of the 12 best books of the 21st century. The novel earned the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in 2012.

In a short Q&A, Fountain was asked about the research method he used for his characters. He must immerse himself in his notes in order to develop the storyline.

“I bury myself in it,” Fountain said. “I get totally confused. I forget why I got into it in the first place, and at a certain point I decide to write my way out of it.”

During the Q&A, Fountain joked his first draft is known as “creative failing.”

The Texas State Wind Symphony held its Chamber Concert titled “Deconstructed” on Wednesday at the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

The performance featured selections including Serenade No. 10 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, ‪Prelude from Le Tombeau de Couperin by Marice Ravel and Kleine Dreigroschenmusik by Kurt Weill.

Caroline Beatty, director of bands, has conducted the Wind Symphony for the past four years. The performance was added in order to use the new Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, Beatty said.