Familiar and new elements are blended together to create the look and sound of the 2025 Arkansas Tech University marching band, better known to many as “Arkansas’ Band of Distinction.”
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia is beginning his 11th year as director of bands and professor of music at ATU. As he embarks upon his second decade of contributing to a tradition founded and cultivated by predecessors such as Marvin Williamson, Gene Witherspoon and Hal Cooper, Belongia sounds grateful and reflective.
“As director of bands, I have a lot of really wonderful responsibilities and opportunities, but none that I cherish more than supporting these students and the staff that serve them so we can do the best possible job for the Band of Distinction,” said Belongia while speaking at a preseason performance by the ATU marching band in Russellville Downtown. “This year’s band includes all ages of ATU students, freshmen through seniors, and they represent every academic college in the institution. Many of these students are not music majors. The ones that are music majors don’t major in band. They have a lot of other classes that are their responsibility. They are here to get professional training, a degree and go out into the workforce. Band people make great employees, great bosses and great citizens. We learn that we have to work through adversity. We can’t win by making other people lose, we can only win by winning together. That’s what band teaches us.”
A refreshed band practice field on the north side of campus and forthcoming new marching band uniforms are among the investments Arkansas Tech has made in its marching band since last fall.
Another change is the addition of Dr. Adam P. Miller, who is beginning his first year as Arkansas Tech associate director of bands, director of athletic bands and assistant professor of music.
Miller recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music performance at the University of Kentucky, where he was conductor of the UK Concert Band, graduate conductor of the UK Symphony Band and Wind Symphony and graduate associate director and drill writer for the UK Wildcat Marching Band.
“I am so excited to be the new associate director of bands and director of athletic bands here at ATU,” said Miller. “When you’re a graduate student and doctoral student on the job hunt, you take lots of interviews, go visit lots of places and hope you can find a good one. It was clear from the moment I stepped foot on (the ATU) campus that this is an amazing place and where I want to be. From the students to the faculty to the whole university and the support from the community, I’ve never, ever walked into a music building and seen more of a family environment than I saw in Witherspoon Hall. When I left here after that interview, I said I wanted to work here. This is where I want to be. My wife (Madelyn) and I are so blessed to have this opportunity and to move here.”
The ATU marching band’s 2025 show is entitled “Icons.” It was arranged by Dr. Jim Daughters, former associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at Arkansas Tech and current director of bands at Southeast Missouri State University.
Miller described “Icons” as “the story of those who looked at the world, not as it is, but as it could be…the heroes, the rebels, the patriots and the visionaries…they dared to dream and we followed.”
The show includes “What Are You Going to Do When You’re Not Saving the World” by Hans Zimmer, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by the Andrews Sisters, “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi and “Fly to Paradise” by Eric Whitacre.
The ATU marching band will make its football season debut on Thursday, Sept. 11, when Arkansas Tech hosts Northwestern Oklahoma State University for the Wonder Boys’ first home game of the 2025 campaign.
Kickoff at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium is set for 7 p.m. The ATU marching band will offer a pre-game performance in the tailgating area on Centennial Plaza at approximately 6:15 p.m.
The leadership team for the 2025 ATU marching band is listed below.
Director of Bands and Professor of Music
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia
Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Music
Dr. Adam P. Miller
Drumline Director
Dr. Cory Fica
Color Guard Instructor
Bri Dawson
Majorette Coach
Hannah Smith
Administrative Assistants
Belinda Hilliard
Stephanie Swatzel
The Voice of Arkansas’ Band of Distinction
Dr. Jon Clements
Drum Majors
Adalyn Barnes of Greenwood, Gabriel Avila of Russellville, Lizbeth Nunez of Dardanelle
Assistant Drum Major
Jesse Wells of Sheridan
Band Captain
Jacob Thompson of Ozark
Teaching Assistants
Rebecca Davis of Cabot
Ashlyn Watson of Alread
Teaching Assistant in Training
Joey Wise of Sheridan
Equipment Manager
Luke Walker of Benbrook, Texas
Woodwind Instrument Manager
Mary Best of Lonoke
Brass Instrument Manager
Evelyn Leding of Ozark
Uniform Manager
Ashlyn Watson of Alread
Sound Design Leader
Caleb Hopkins of Fort Smith
Band Librarian
Rebecca Davis of Cabot
Section Leaders
Clarinet
Mary Best of Lonoke and Kalie Howard of Sheridan
Flute
Taylor Brigance of Siloam Springs and Kelton McGhee of Morrilton
Saxophone
Sam Spann of East End and Logan Farley of Greenbrier
Mellophone
Luke Walker of Benbrook, Texas, and Owen Woods of Lincoln
Trumpet
Kris Campbell of Alma and Owen Ridenhour of Waldron
Trombone
Taylor Jacobs of Mount Ida and Blake Mitchell of Cabot
Euphonium
Preston Keeter of Springdale and Marvin Velazquez of Waldron
Sousaphone
Lorenzo Castelano of Dardanelle and Sydney Stalnaker of Ola
Drumline
Jessie Hernandez of Berryville
Snare Drums
Frankie Klimek of Berryville
Tenor Drums
Brandon Gallegos of Hope
Bass Drums
Luke White of Benton
Cymbals
Antonio Walls Jr. of Morrilton
Color Guard
Ella Peppers of Ward and Chaya Reed of Monticello
Majorette
Audrey Roys of Russellville
