BROWNWOOD – February 12, 2024 – Stephen Goacher, professor of music at Howard Payne University, will present a Faculty Concert Celebrating Black History Month. The concert, featuring a variety of accomplished guest musicians, will be held on Thursday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. in Mims Auditorium on the HPU campus. Admission to the concert is free of charge and the public is invited.
The concert will feature James Bode, principal percussion, San Angelo Symphony Orchestra and director of the West Texas Jazz Orchestra; Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell, trombone, chair, associate dean, Hardin-Simmons University School of Music; Stephen Goacher, saxophone; Dr. John Irish, trumpet, professor of music, Angelo State University; Stacey Nash, bass, adjunct faculty, Abilene Christian University; and Reverend Henry Smith, piano, associate pastor, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Abilene.
Goacher said this concert will celebrate Black History Month through the performance of jazz.
“To celebrate a group of people, one must understand their art, their music and their religion,” Goacher said. “Jazz is recognized as a significant art form of the 20th century. Historically, the innovators of each jazz style have been young black men and women. Additionally, jazz is the only original art America has given to world culture. The sense of freedom and individuality these artists infused their music readily spoke to a world yearning to be free.”
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Cutline: Pictured with HPU’s Stephen Goacher (third from left) are the guest faculty he invited to participate in this musical celebration of Black History Month. From left are Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell of Hardin-Simmons University; Reverend Henry Smith of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Abilene; Goacher; Stacey Nash of Abilene Christian University; Dr. John Irish of Angelo State University; and James Bode of the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra and the West Texas Jazz Orchestra.