Eighteen bands and ensembles ranging from the middle school to high school levels performed at the 2023 Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Concert Band Festival, an affiliate of Music for All National Festival presented by Yamaha.
The event took place at The Center for the Arts in Russellville Tuesday, March 28, and Wednesday, March 29. It was hosted and administered by the ATU Department of Music.
Each band and ensemble performed three songs and received feedback from a panel of nationally-renowned clinicians: Dr. Ricky Brooks, retired director of bands at the University of Central Arkansas; Darrin Davis, director of bands at Broken Arrow High School (Okla.); Gary Hill, professor of music and director of bands emeritus at Arizona State University; and W. Dale Warren, senior wind band conductor and professor of music at the University of Arkansas.
The evaluators also provided participating bands and ensembles with a 30-minute clinic.
“I had a blast working with every ensemble I collaborated with, and especially enjoyed working with multiple groups comprising the entire range of accomplishment to date,” said Hill. “(Dr. Daniel A. Belongia), his students and the volunteers were always available and ready to accommodate every necessity.”
Participating bands and ensembles in the 2023 ATU Southern Regional Concert Band Festival were:
- Cabot Freshman Academy Symphonic Band
- Cabot High School Symphonic Band
- Cabot High School Wind Symphony
- Dardanelle High School Wind Ensemble
- Fort Smith Ramsey Middle School Seventh Grade Band
- Fort Smith Southside High School Freshman Band
- Fort Smith Southside High School Wind Ensemble
- Greenland High School Concert Band
- Magazine High School Band
- Mayflower High School Band
- Nashville High School Wind Ensemble
- Rogers Heritage High School Concert Band
- Rogers Heritage High School Wind Ensemble
- Russellville High School Concert Band
- Russellville High School Symphonic Band
- Siloam Springs High School Symphonic Band
- Siloam Springs High School Wind Ensemble
- Trinity Catholic Middle School Varsity Band
More information is available about the ATU Southern Regional Concert Band Festival is available at www.atu.edu/bands/festival.php.
Visit www.atu.edu/music and www.atu.edu/bands to learn more about the Arkansas Tech Department of Music and its instrumental music program.
