WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Musicians and Supporters,
Arkansas Tech University’s long-held reputation for quality in instrumental music dates back more than 100 years.
It started with the founding of our band program by Marvin Williamson in 1913. It grew to a national scale due to the standard of excellence established by Gene Witherspoon. It began its second century with the great innovations implemented by Hal Cooper. Today, under the outstanding leadership of Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, director of bands, Arkansas Tech continues to advance a program that is rarely matched in collegiate instrumental music across the United States.
It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Music Education Festival - an affiliate Music for All festival presented by Yamaha.
We believe that you will have an outstanding experience and walk away with a greater understanding of why Arkansas Tech is widely regarded as one of the best music programs in our region and in our nation.
Thank you for your attendance and best wishes for your performance.
Sincerely,
Dr. Russell Jones President
ABOUT ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY
• Home to almost 10,000 students
• Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as Arkansas’ No. 1 regional public university
• Top 7 percent among all universities and colleges in the United States on the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index
• More than 200 degrees and credentials to pursue through two campuses: Russellville and Ozark
• Popular campus activities include intramural sports, outdoor recreation, fraternity and sorority life, NCAA intercollegiate athletics, entertainment programs hosted by Student Activities Board and community service projects
• Coming in 2026: ATU's Ferguson Student Union, a new 68,000 square foot student union and recreation center
WELCOME FROM THE DEAN
Dear Participants,
On behalf of the College of Arts and Humanities, I am thrilled to welcome you to the 2025 Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Music Education Festival. We should all thank Yamaha, which sponsors the national festival, Music For All, with which this event is affiliated. The collaborative effort represented by this event demonstrates Arkansas Tech’s commitment to concert band music, both regionally and nationally, and I thank all of you, our participants, for attending this festival and for being part of our campus at this time. I can hardly wait to hear the glorious music that you all will produce.
Sincerely,
Jeff Cass Dean, Arkansas Tech University College of Arts and Humanities
WELCOME FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEAD
On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of the Arkansas Tech University Department of Music I want to welcome you to the fifth annual Southern Regional Music Education Festival. We are privileged to host this event which showcases talented instrumental musicians and directors from across the region. This educational event also includes nationally acclaimed clinicians who will evaluate each band and providefeedback for their continued artistic growth and development.We hope this collaborative event will be one of the highlights of your year.
No event of this magnitude can be undertaken without the help of a number of people. I would like to thank Yamaha for their continued sponsorship of this event and ATU Director of Bands, Dr. Dan Belongia, for his vision and leadership in bringing this event to our community. I would also like to thank our superb administrative assistant Belinda Hilliard who spent countless hours organizing this event. Finally, we are so appreciative to the many students, directors and parents who have shown a commitment to this event and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the arts. Without your enthusiasm and dedication none of these outstanding performances would be possible. I hope you enjoy the performances over the next two days. We appreciate that you have made it a priority to spend this time supporting the musical arts. Good luck to all of the participants and best wishes for continued success.
Jeff Bright Head, Arkansas Tech University Department of Music
WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTORS OF BANDS
Welcome to the 2025 Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Music Education Festival- an affiliate Music For All festival presented by Yamaha!
Congratulations and thank you to each parent who has supported and provided for the music education of their student. As you know, this work will sustain and inform the development of your student throughout their lifetime.
When you have a moment, please inform your school officials of the great performances that you witness today. Your school's music teachers need your support to continue to provide these quality programs.
Today's Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Music Education Festival is focused on education. Our clinicians provide recorded and written feedback for each band, and each band will also work with one of the clinicians following their performance.
STUDENTS -We hope that you will join us back on campus this summer!
• Arkansas Tech University Middle School Band Camp, July 13 - 18, 2025
• Arkansas Tech University Junior High School Band Camp, June 22 - 26, 2025
• Arkansas Tech University Marching Arts Weekend, June 12 – 15, 2025
• Arkansas Tech University High School Band Camp,June 15 - 19, 2025
Visit our website at www.atu.edu/bands or scan the QR code for more information about the summer camps and details regarding upcoming performances on the Tech campus.
Thanks for joining us, and GOOD LUCKto all the performers!
Yours,
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia Director of Bands, Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Trevor Frost Interim Associate Director of Bands, Arkansas Tech University
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2025
11:00 PM
Dardanelle Wind Ensemble Jessica Perry, conductor
El Dorado
Jorge Vargas
Loch Lomond JaRod Hall
Choose Joy Randall D. Standridge
12:00 PM
Cotter High School Wind Ensemble
Douglas Messick, conductor
Union March Mekel Rogers
Blazon! David Shaffer
Liturgical Fanfare
1:00 PM
Camden Fairview High School Band
Fidelity March
River Songs
African Dreams
2:00 PM
Mountain Home High School Band
E Pluribus Unum
Pacem “A Hymn for Peace”
Rapture
Havana Nights
3:00 PM
Dover Intermediate Band
Robert W. Smith
Brandon D. Hughey, conductor
Karl King
Douglas Wagner
Brant Karrick
Tom Chentnik, conductor
Fred Jewell arr. Andrew Glover
Robert Spittal
Brian Balmages
Randall D. Standridge
Niall Blasdel, conductor
Kitty Hawk March John Edmondson
Liturgical Fanfare
Mystic Legend
Robert W. Smith
Anne McGinty
THURSDAY, April 3, 2025
10:00 AM
Greenwood Wind Ensemble Devon West, conductor
The Liberty Bell March John Philip Sousa
Song and Dance Richard Saucedo
Red Rock Mountain Rossano Galante
11:00 AM
Cabot High School Symphonic Band Kara Reynolds, conductor
National Game
John Philip Sousa
Havana Nights Randall D. Standridge
Undertow John Mackey
12:00 PM
Cabot High School Wind Symphony Rusty Hart, conductor
Marche Des Parachutistes Belges
Four Scottish Dances
I. Pesante
II. Vivace
III. Allegretto
1:00 PM
Pierre Leemans arr. Wiley
Malcolm Arnold arr. J.P. Paynter
Magnolia Star Steve Danyew
Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Windows and Mirrors- Symphony for Band
I. Common Thread
II. Reflection of the Dark
III. Window to the Soul
IV. Finale
2:15 PM
Fayetteville High School Symphonic Band I
Daniel A. Belongia, conductor
Michael Post, Matt Brusca, Nicholas Soderquist, Conductors
Fearless Carol Brittin Chambers
Red Rock Mountain Rossano Galante
Washington Post March John Philip Sousa
3:15 PM
Fayetteville High School Wind Ensemble Brett Lawson, conductor
Sempre Fidelis
Danzon no. 2
4:15 PM
John Philip Soussa
Arturo Marquez arr. Nickell
Nitro Frank Ticheli
Fayetteville High School Symphonic Band II
Jason Marshall, Matt Brusca, conductors
Fanfare for the Third Planet Richard Saucedo
Celtic Ritual
The Beau Ideal March
John Higgens
John Philip Sousa
FRIDAY, April 4, 2025
9:00 AM
Clarkesville High School Band Danielle Hodges, conductor
National Emblem Edwin Eugene Bagley arr. Conaway
Heaven’s Light Steve Reinke
Nevermore Brian Balmages
10:30 AM
JHS Unplugged Chorale Phylicia Butler, conductor
Elijah Rock arr. Victor Johnson
Hold Me Rock Me arr. Brian Tate
Agnus Dei arr. Sherri Porterfield
Come, Celebrate with Joyful Pleasure arr. Patrick Liebergen
12:00 PM
LaFayette County Concert Band
Lindsey Points, conductor
Kingsburry March Chuck Elledge and Bruce Pearson
Lullaby for Band Robert W. Smith
Awake the Iron Scott Watson
1:00 PM
Clarkesville Junior High Band
Alexis Barnhart, Cameron Connell, & Danielle Hodges, conductors
The Bandmasters March Matthew Putnam
Me (reaffirmation) Randall D. Standridge
The Tenth Planet Michael Story
2:00 PM
Russellville High School Symphonic Band
David Gaston, conductor
The Purple Carnival Harry L. Alford
Symphony no. 1 ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Johan de Meij I. Gandalf II. Lothlorien
Molly on the Shore Percy Aldridge Grainger
3:00 PM
Greenwood 8th Grade Band
Melanie Heikilla, conductor
Spania! David Shaffer
Tripwire JaRod Hall
The Witching Hour Randall D. Standridge
4:00 PM
Greenwood Symphonic Band
Matthew Verrette, conductor
Columbian March Karl King arr. Milford
Rain Brian Balmages
The Witch in the Saint Steven Reineke
The Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, conductor
Flutes/Piccolo
Taylor Brigance* Siloam Springs, AR
Hannah Smith Greenbrier, AR
Alex Perez Clarkeville, AR
Saxophone
Matthew Shirey* Pearcy, AR
Samuel Spann East End, AR
Elizabeth Barrett Midlothian, TX
Lydia Logston Spiro, OK Luke Sande
Oboe/English Horn
Kelton McGhee* Morrilton, AR
Bassoons
Horn
Euphonium
Preston Keeter* Springdale, AR
Marvin Velazquez Waldron, AR
Amy Look Lake Village, AR
Tuba
Lorenzo Castelano* Dardanelle, AR
Brad Wills* Dardanelle, AR Jesse Wells Sheridan, AR
Luke Walker Fort Worth, TX Sydney Stalnaker Ola, AR
Madison Cole Hot Springs, AR
Rhett Neagles* Russellville, AR Eliza Smith Cabot, AR Percussion
Brandon Williams Russellville, AR
Teagan Hartwright Lucas, TX Trumpets
Bb Clarinet
Rebecca Davis* Cabot, AR
Mackenzie Murphy Bryant, AR
Holten Friend Deltona, FL
Emanuel Chambers* Hector, AR
Peyton Stephens Springdale, AR
Kris Campbell* Alma, AR Kraigen Partee Mountain Home, AR
Adalyn Barnes Greenwood, AR Noah Foster Russellville, AR
Gabriel Avila Dardanelle, AR Miguel Diaz-Moreno Dardanelle, AR
Evelyn Leding Ozark, AR
Kira Odom Ozark, AR
Jake Hodges Russellville, AR Axel Arroyo Rogers, AR
Martha Smith Gomez Decatur, AR Savana Green Hot Springs, AR
Jordan Clark Benton, AR Contrabass
Mary Best Lonoke, AR Trombone
Lizbeth Nuñez Dardanelle, AR
Brendan Frazier* Denison, TX
Jesse Wells Sheridan, AR
Emmie Carter Alma, AR Gunner Hodges Harrison, AR Piano
Low Clarinets
Kalie Howard Sheridan, AR
Jordan Clark Benton, AR
Martha Smith Gomez Decatur, AR
*denotes principal
Gabe Graff Cabot, AR
Taylor Jacobs Mount Ida, AR
Bass Trombone
Blake Mitchell Cabot, AR
Noah Pifer Cabot, AR
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 in addition to the exhibition we have decided share some recent performances is through the recordings available on our YouTube channel.
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!
Also, check out the Symphonic Wind Ensembles album releases on Spotify! Follow the group to keep up to date with new releases! Scan the QR to check out the artist page or go do the albums directly by clicking the album images.
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
COMPOSITION AND MUSIC THEORY
COMPOSITION AND MUSIC THEORY
ENSEMBLES
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, Director of Bands
Dr. Trevor Forst, Interim Associate Director of Bands
Dr. Katie Rohwer, Director of Choral Activities
Dr. Jon Clements, Choirs
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
Dr Ryan Matejek, Tuba
PERCUSSION
Dr. Cory Fica
PIANO AND PIANO PEDAGOGY
Dr. Tim Smith
Dr. Mary J. Trotter
VOICE
Dr. Barbara Clements
Dr. Jon Clements
Dr. Amy Porter
Dr. Jon Clements
Dr. Jon Clements
Dr. Nicolas Del Grazia
Dr. Nicolas del Grazia
Dr. Nate Mensink
Dr. Nate Mensink
Professor Philip Parker
Professor Evan Mino
Dr. Tim Smith
Dr. Mary J. Trotter
Dr. Zane Gillespie
MUSICOLOGY
Dr. Amy Porter
Professor Philip Parker
Dr. Tim Smith
Dr. Phoebe Robertson
MUSICOLOGY
MUSIC EDUCATION
Dr. Phoebe Robertson
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia
Dr. Jeff Bright
MUSIC EDUCATION
Dr. Katie Rowher
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia
Dr. Jeff Bright
CONDUCTING
Dr. Katherine Rohwer
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia
Professor Christina Head
Dr. Katie Rowher
CONDUCTING
MUSIC IN GENERAL STUDIES
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia
Dr. Jeff Bright
Dr. Katherine Rohwer
Dr. Kae Reed
Dr. Ryan Matejek
MUSIC IN GENERAL STUDIES
Dr. Nate Mensink
Dr. Jeff Bright
Dr. Phoebe Robertson
Dr. Ryan Matejek
Dr. Nate Mensink
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
Dr. Phoebe Robertson
Belinda Hilliard, Administrative Assistant
Dr. Zane Gillespie
Dr. TJ Perry, Auditorium Management
Professor Sharon Davis
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
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 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. JOE MISSEL I CLINICIAN
Joseph Missal served as Director of Bands and Regents Professor of Conducting at the Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University from 1986-2021. In this capacity, he conducted the Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds and guided all aspects of the OSU Band Program. Dr. Missal also directed the graduate conducting program, taught undergraduate conducting, and served as Coordinator for Wind and Percussion Studies.
He holds a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education from Michigan State University, a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from the University of Colorado.
A member of CBDNA, WASBE, NAfME, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, he has appeared as a guest conductor throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Israel. His writing has been published in the CBDNA Journal, the Canadian Band Journal, and the GIA Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Dr. Missal has served as Co-Chairman of the International Wind Band Education Committee for WASBE and is a past President of the Southwest Division of the College Band Directors National Association and the Big Twelve Band Directors Association.
HAL COOPER I CLINICIAN
HalCooper served as Director of Bands at Arkansas Tech University from 1979 to 2011 and is honored by membership in the American Bandmasters Association, the Arkansas Tech University "Hall of Distinction," and the Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame. He served as President of the Southwestern Division of the CBDNA from 1997-1999.
DR. CARA MORANTZ I CLINICIAN
Cara Morantz, Ed.D., is Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She joined the faculty in the fall of 2014. She is part of the instructional team for the Marching Blazers, the Wind Symphony and Symphony Band, and the Blazer Bands. In addition, Dr. Morantz teaches music classes including courses in music education and aural skills.
Prior to her arrival at UAB, Dr. Morantz spent nine years in the public schools of Cobb County, Georgia, where she taught at both the middle school and high school levels. From 2005-2007, she served as assistant director of bands at Lassiter High School. From 2007-2012 she served as assistant director of bands at Cooper Middle School and from 2012-2014 she served as assistant director of bands at Durham Middle School.
Dr. Morantz has continued to play trumpet in community groups at UAB, and while in Georgia, she enjoyed being a member of the Cobb Wind Symphony. Dr. Morantz has also served as guest conductor and clinician at several schools, and at honor band events in the states of Georgia and Alabama.
Dr. Morantz was educated at the University of Miami, where she graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She completed her master’s degree at the University of Georgia in 2011 and continued on to complete her Doctorate of Education in 2016. Her teaching and research interests include instrumental music education, beginning brass pedagogy, and the effect of singing on instrumental performance.
DR. TREVOR FROST I CLINICIAN
Dr. Trevor Frost is a freelance educator, conductor, and composer based in Nebraska. Frost received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting with a related area in Composition from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His duties at UNL included work with the Ensemble Performance Lab, Symphonic Band, Campus Band, the Big Red Express pep bands, and the Cornhusker Marching Band. Prior to joining the team at UNL, Frost served as the music director at Paul Elementary School in Wakefield, New Hampshire creating a band, chorus, and general music program. He received his Master of Arts in Music: Music Conducting degree from the University of New Hampshire in 2021, and his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire in 2016. Frost remains active as a composer receiving commissions from the New Hampshire Youth Band, the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony, the Keene State Concert Choir, Lebanon High School (NH), and Pittsfield High School (MA). Frost was also selected as one of six composers for the “Composing in the Wilderness 2023 Lake Clark” program led by Composer-Adventurer Stephen Lias.
DR. DANIEL A. BELONGIA I CLINICIAN
Daniel A. Belongia is professor of music and Director of Bands at Arkansas Tech University.
Previous teaching appointments include serving as a tenured faculty member of the Illinois State University School of Music from 2005 – 2015, and as a public school band director at the middle and high school levels in Florida and Texas. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting from Michigan State University, where he was a Kenneth G. Bloomquist Fellow and served as teaching assistant in wind conducting at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he earned the bachelor and master's degrees in music education and performance.
As trombone soloist, he can be heard on the University of Miami Wind Ensemble compact disk, New Music for Winds and Percussion, and he is conductor, editor, and producer of the Naxos “Wind Band Classics” recording Point Blank. His research has been published in the Journal of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles, the journal of The International Society for the Investigation and Promotion of Wind Music, the National Band Association Journal, the Instrumentalist Magazine, Keynotes Magazine, and multiple volumes of the Teaching Music through Performance in Band and Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band reference series. He is a former marching member of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, and was a performing member of the Star of Indiana, “Brass Theater” featuring the Canadian Brass. He has served on the staff of several drum corps in a variety of capacities.
Dr. Belongia has presented concerts and clinics at diverse events such the regional and national conventions of the College Band Directors National Association as well as Bands of America Grand National Championships. He is an active guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Professional affiliations include the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, The Conductor's Guild, the National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu, and he is proud to serve as an Educational Clinician for the Conn Selmer Corporation.
THANK YOU
The 2025 Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Music Education Festival would not exist without the support and guidance of many people.
Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Russell Jones, President
Dr. Adolfo Santos, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Dr. Jeff Cass, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities
Dr. Jeff Bright, Head of the Department of Music
Belinda Hilliard, Administrative Assistant
Sam Strasner, Director of University Relations
The faculty and students of the Tech Department of Music
Announcer
Dr. Jon Clements
Music For All, Inc
Debbie Laferty Asbill, Acting Chief Executive Officer
James Stephens, Senior Director of Advocacy and Educational Resources
Scott Casagrande, Educational Consultant
ASBOA – Dewayne Dove, Executive Director
ABA – Hope Bruner, President
