“Spotlights,” an album by the Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble from record label Tonsehen, is now available for streaming.
It is the fifth album released by the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble since 2021. The previous four — “Syler | Magnuson” from 2021, “Influences and Expressions” from 2023, “Copley | Respighi” from 2024 and “Liquid Melancholy” from 2024 — as well as “Spotlights” — are available on YouTube Music, Apple Music and Spotify.
Click here to listen to “Spotlights” on YouTube Music.
Click here to listen to “Spotlights” on Apple Music.
Click here to listen to “Spotlights” on Spotify.
The new album includes ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble performances of “Birds of Paradise” by James Syler, “Dialogue” by Phil Parker and “Sure-Fire” by Cathy Likhuta.
The ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble provided the world premiere performance of “Birds of Paradise” during a concert at Witherspoon Auditorium in November 2023. Dr. Nathan Mensink, ATU assistant professor of music, appears on the piece as a soloist.
“Syler was inspired by the ‘rare birds’ that created and manifest a fusion of jazz and classical music in the second half of the 20th century, as well as the issues and challenges that were part of those musicians’ lives,” said Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, ATU professor of music, director of bands and conductor of the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble. “Dr. Nathan Mensink, alto saxophone, is incredible and showcases how loud, soft, fast, slow and everything in between that the alto saxophone can be.”
The recordings of “Dialogue” and “Sure-Fire” were captured at Witherspoon Auditorium in April 2024. Evan Mino, ATU instructor of music, appears on the Likhuta composition as a horn soloist.
ATU music faculty members Dr. Phoebe Robertson, Dr. TJ Perry, Dr. Nicolas del Grazia and Dr. Cory Fica served as producers on “Spotlights.”
Aaron Albert Lee Houston recorded the pieces, which were mixed and mastered by Christian Amonson. Lara K. Mitofsky Neuss served as editor. Ken Wiele provided the album art.
The album is sponsored by the Pat and Roger Wattam Recording Series.
Learn more about the ATU Department of Music at www.atu.edu/humanities/music.
