The Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble will make its fall 2026 debut with a concert entitled “Modern/Antiquity” on Sunday, Sept. 27.
The performance will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Witherspoon Auditorium, 407 West Q Street on the ATU campus in Russellville. Admission will be free and open to the public.
There will be a ceremony to dedicate the band rehearsal room in Witherspoon Hall as the Hal Cooper Sr. Band Hall immediately following the concert.
Cooper, who served as ATU director of bands from 1979-2011 and was inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction in 2017, died on April 15, 2026. He was 81.
The concert will include performances of “Fanfare for Oya” by Katahj Copley, “Serenade” by Richard Strauss, “Liberation” by David Maslanka, “La Chancla” by Dennis Llinás and “Mothership” by Mason Bates.
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, ATU professor of music and director of bands, serves as conductor for the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Dr. Phoebe Robertson, ATU assistant professor of music, will appear as guest conductor on the Strauss piece.
The ATU Tenor Bass Choir, conducted by Dr. Jon Clements, will sing as part of the performance of “Liberation.” Clements is professor of music at ATU.
An interactive film will accompany the performance of the Bates composition.
Below is a listing of the members of the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble for fall 2026. The principal player for each section is listed first, followed by the other members of the section alphabetically.
Flutes/Piccolo
Taylor Brigance
Alyx Dunaway
Kinsey Franklin
Eaddie Sanchez
Julisa Tolentino-Powers
Oboe/English Horn
Kelton McGhee
Jennifer Belongia
Bassoon/Contrabassoon
Brandon Williams
Teagan Hartwright
Eb, Bb and Bass/Contra Clarinets
Mary Best
Vincent Dischiavi
Holten Friend
Annie Hogue
Annabelle Lackey
Lizbeth Nunez
Aryana Robison
Chaya Reed
Saxophones
Sam Spann
Isaac Chisum
Gabe Hodges
Natalie Sanders
Horn
Caelah Carvin
Gabe Bell
Madison Cole
Rachel Estep
Dalton McPherson
Bb and C Trumpets
Jacob Thompson
Cole Boster
Skyler Cook
Savanna Green
Sanders Hilburn
Wendy Nunez
Joey Wise
Trombone
Gabe Graff
John Carl Laidler
Isaac Haynes
Bass Trombone
Timmy Hernandez
Euphonium
Elisha Escobar
Ella Peppers
Leo Swain
Marvin Velazquez
Tuba
Lorenzo Castellano-Chavez
Sydney Stalnaker
Jesse Wells
Contrabass
Ryder May
Percussion
Miguel Diaz-Moreno
Emanuel Chambers
Zoi Fell
Sean McConnell
Kira Odom
Brandon Orobona
Kraigen Partee
Piano
Nicole Ying
Harp
Frances Cobb Kearney
Visit www.atu.edu/humanities/music to learn more about the ATU Department of Music.
