HPU’s School of Education and Fine Arts will present new adjunct faculty member, James Bode, in a jazz concert on Thursday, Sept. 26, in L.J. Mims Auditorium. The preconcert interactive will begin at 7:00 p.m. and concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.
Bode, principal percussionist with the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra, and founder and director of the West Texas Jazz Orchestra, is a new adjunct professor of percussion at HPU. The concert is a quartet featuring Bode on drums and vibraphone. He will be joined by Stephen Goacher, HPU professor of music, on saxophone, flute and clarinet; Dr. John Irish, professor of music at Angelo State University; Rev. Henry Smith of Abilene, on piano; and HPU alumnus Gannon Phillips of Fort Worth, on bass.
“We are fortunate to have such a talented faculty member join us; one who is recognized throughout Texas as both a legendary performer and a legendary teacher,” said Goacher. “In addition to 24 years teaching experience in Texas public schools and universities, he is an accomplished composer and arranger of over 40 compositions. He is also the author of The Smart Drummer, a class percussion method.”
In addition to teaching at HPU, Bode presented the Drew Thieman Young Musician Memorial Jazz Education Workshop in San Angelo on September 21. Students attended the jazz workshop from HPU, Texas Tech, UT Permian Basin, Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene Christian University, McMurry University, Angelo State University and area high schools. Joining Bode conducting the workshop were Goacher; Rev. Smith; Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell, chair of the music department at Hardin-Simmons University; Dr. John Irish; and Stacy Nash, noted bass artist. The West Texas Jazz Orchestra, founded and directed by Bode, presented the 20th Anniversary Concert Saturday, September 21, at the Brooks and Bates Theatre in San Angelo.
For more information about HPU, visit www.hputx.edu or call 325-649-8020.