Ten upper division music education majors from Arkansas Tech University will be featured as student conductors when the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs a concert entitled “Fundamentals” at Witherspoon Auditorium on Sunday, March 15.
The performance will begin at 2:30 p.m. at 407 West Q Street on the ATU campus in Russellville. Admission will be free and open to the public.
“I’m very excited for these experiences for our student conductors and ensemble members,” said Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, ATU professor of music, director of bands and conductor of the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble. “It is important that our music education students have as many experiences as possible with music that is consistent with the selections they will make for the high school, junior high and middle school bands they will lead in the near future. Exposing them to worthy music in that category and providing them with conducting experience in a professional atmosphere are the primary goals of this unique concert.”
The ATU music education students who will serve as guest conductors and the pieces they will conduct during the March 15 concert are:
- Gabriel Avila of Dardanelle, “Toccata for Band” by Frank William Erickson
- Addy Barnes of Greenwood, “Counterbalance” by Todd Stalter
- Skyler Cook of Benton, “Portrait of a Clown” by Frank Ticheli
- Holten Friend of Deltona, Fla., “Night on Bald Mountain” by Modest Mussorgsky (arranged by Mark Williams)
- John-Carl Laidler of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, “The Rowan Tree” by Randall Standridge
- Lizbeth Nuñez of Dardanelle, “Dusk” by Steven Bryant
- Martha Smith Gomez of Decatur, “Rain” by Brian Balmages
- Samuel Spann of East End, “Circus Days” by Karl King
- Luke Walker of Fort Worth, Texas, “Kentucky 1800” by Clare Grundman
- Brandon Williams of Russellville, “Waiting” by Brandon Williams
In addition to the 10 student-conducted pieces, Belongia will lead the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble for a performance of “Rail Riffs” by Balmages and Dr. Adam P. Miller, ATU assistant professor of music and associate director of bands, will conduct the ensemble during its playing of “Air for Band” by Erickson.
Additional upcoming concerts hosted by the ATU Department of Music are listed at www.atu.edu/calendar.
Learn more about the ATU Department of Music at www.atu.edu/humanities/music.
Editor’s note: Below are some photographs from the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble rehearsal on Wednesday, March 11.
