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The Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble looks forward to the annual exhibition performance at the Southern Regional Concert Band Festival. This year however, in order to better serve the scheduling needs of our participating ensembles, we have determined that the most efficient way to share some recent performances is through the recordings available on our new YouTube channel.
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The new channel will be the home to future Tech Bands performance videos, including our wonderful marching band – The Band of Distinction. We hope you will subscribe to the channel and visit it often!
Instrumental Music Studies at ATU:
The ATU Department of Music serves approximately 175 undergraduate music majors seeking either the Bachelor of Arts in Music or the Bachelor of Music Education degrees. The Tech Band program was created by Marvin Williamson in 1913, and developed into a nationally recognized tradition of excellence by Emeritus Directors of Bands Gene Witherspoon and Hal D. Cooper. Dr. Christopher Anderson created the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in 2011, and the program currently consists of six ensembles serving hundreds of students per semester. Active in the area of commissioning new music and working closely with world renowned composers since 1950, Tech Bands have enjoyed relationships with Karel Husa, Vincent Persichetti, Francis McBeth, and continue to engage the finest composers to perform established and world premiere manuscripts. The Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble has toured the country and appeared at state, regional, and national conferences of the CDBNA, ABA, ASBOA, and many others. Alumni of Tech Bands are now teachers, performers, and professionals in and out of the field of music around the globe.
Arkansas Tech University Department of Music
Dr. Jeff Bright, Department Head
Dr. Jeff Cass, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities
ENSEMBLES
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, Director of Bands
Dr. Jon Clements, Choirs
Dr. Christopher Harris, Director of Choirs
Dr. Jon Nash, Associate Director of Bands
Dr. Sean Reed, Jazz Ensemble
WOODWINDS
Dr. Phoebe Robertson, Flute
Dr. Leanna Renfro, Oboe
Professor Richard Bobo, Bassoon
Dr. Nicolas Del Grazia, Clarinet
Dr. Nate Mensink, Saxophone
BRASS
Dr. TJ Perry, Trumpet
Professor Dalton Snow, Trumpet
Professor Evan Mino, Horn
Dr. Sean Reed, Trombone & Euphonium
Professor Ryan Matejek, Tuba
PERCUSSION
Professor Philip Parker
PIANO AND PIANO PEDAGOGY
Professor Kristina Buck
Professor Patty Oeste
Dr. Tim Smith
Dr. Mary J. Trotter
VOICE
Professor Kristina Buck
Dr. Barbara Clements
Dr. Jon Clements
Professor Holly Ruth Gale
COMPOSITION AND MUSIC THEORY
Dr. Jon Clements
Dr. Nicolas Del Grazia
Dr. Christopher Harris
Dr. Jon Nash
Professor Philip Parker
Dr. Tim Smith
MUSICOLOGY
Professor Philip Parker
Dr. Phoebe Robertson
MUSIC EDUCATION
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia
Dr. Jeff Bright
Dr. Christopher Harris
Dr. Jon Nash
Professor Patty Oeste
CONDUCTING
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia
Dr. Christopher Harris
MUSIC IN GENERAL STUDIES
Dr. Jeff Bright
Professor Kristina Buck
Dr. Kae Reed
Professor Ryan Matejek
Dr. Nate Mensink
Professor Patty Oeste
Dr. Phoebe Robertson
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
Bonnie Heathcock, Band Camps Admin
Belinda Hilliard, Administrative Assistant
Dr. TJ Perry, Auditorium Management
For information regarding Instrumental Music Performance Scholarships, visit our website at www.atu.edu/music
Clinicians
The Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Concert Band Festival was created and designed to provide an opportunity for dedicated music teachers and students to perform in a great hall and receive feedback from "the best of the best" in music education. We are incredibly fortunate to be in this wonderful Russellville Center for the Performing Arts, and to have 4 clinicians this week that are just that - the best of the best!
As you will see from their abbreviated biographies in the next pages, their experience spans elementary through doctoral level teaching in environments from quite literallyaround the globe. As one would imagine, they are in high demand and their time is limited. We are fortunate that they are sharing their great knowledge and experience with all of us, and grateful that they are giving so generously to the Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Concert Band Festival.
Dr. RICKY BROOKS I CLINICIAN
Dr. Ricky Brooks retired as Director of Bands at the University of Central Arkansas in 2021. While Director of Bands, Dr. Brooks administered the UCA Band Program, conducted the Wind Ensemble, and taught graduate and undergraduate classes in conducting, music education, and wind literature. The UCA Wind Ensemble performed twice, by invitation, in Carnegie Hall, New York City. Under Dr. Brooks, the Wind Ensemble also performed at the International Wind Band Festival in Salzburg and Vienna, Austria, the Capitol in Washington D.C, the CBDNA Southwest Convention, Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas, TX, twice at the Southwest Region Tuba/Euphonium Convention, the Arkansas Music Educators Convention, and the Arkansas All-State Band/Choir/Orchestra Convention.
Dr. Brooks, and wife, Sheila, were recently inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Arkansas Bandmasters Hall of Fame. He is President Elect of Dixie/UCA Summer Band Camps, and past Conductor/Music Director of the Conway Community Band. Dr. Brooks holds the BME and MME from Delta State University, and the Ph.D. in Music Education/Conducting from Louisiana State University. Conducting teachers include Wendy Evanson, Francis McBeth, Bob Foster, and Frank Wickes. Prior to UCA, Dr. Brooks taught at Murray State University (Kentucky), and team taught with his wife, Sheila, in the public schools of Mississippi and Arkansas.
Dr. Brooks is also a member of the American Bandmasters Association. He is a recipient of the Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year, past president of the Arkansas Bandmasters Association, and past president of the Arkansas chapter of the College Band Directors National Association. He has articles on music education and conducting published in professional music journals and magazines.
Dr. Brooks continues to serve as Worship Leader at Friendship Baptist Church in Conway. In retirement he enjoys working at church, golf, hiking, time with family, and traveling with Sheila. He and Sheila have three children – Aaron (daughtern-law Mallory H. Brooks), Scott, Mallory Vinzant (son-in-law John Vinzant), plus three grandchildren.
