The Arkansas Tech University marching band, “Arkansas’ Band of Distinction,” will debut its fall 2023 show during the Wonder Boys’ home football game on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Weather permitting, the band is scheduled to perform at approximately 5:15 p.m. during Party at the Plaza pre-game tailgating on Centennial Plaza and again inside Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium as part of the pre-game festivities ahead of a 6 p.m. kickoff.
At halftime, the ATU marching band will perform a show entitled “Stronger Than.” It includes “Caves” by Cody Fry, “The Impossible Dream” by Mitch Leigh and “Rocky Montage” by Vince DiCola.
Arkansas’ Band of Distinction appears at ATU home football games and a variety of parades and marching exhibitions.
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, professor of music, is in his ninth year as director of bands at Arkansas Tech. Dr. Jon Nash is in his third year as ATU assistant professor of music and associate director of bands.
Learn more at www.atu.edu/bands and follow regular updates from Arkansas’ Band of Distinction at www.facebook.com/ATUBands.
Leadership personnel for the 2023 ATU marching band are listed below:
Director of Bands and Professor of Music
Dr. Daniel A. Belongia
Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music
Dr. Jon Nash
Percussion Staff
Phil Parker
Color Guard Staff
Megan Garrett
Majorette Staff
Hannah Leigh Smith
Administrative Assistants
Bonnie Heathcock
Belinda Hilliard
The Voice of Arkansas’ Band of Distinction
Dr. Jon Clements
Student Staff
Drum Majors
Corrigan Burkett of Springdale, Zoe Covey-Smith of Cabot and Caleb Hopkins of Fort Smith
Teaching Assistant
Kaitlyn Rebidue of Cabot
Band Captains
Alex Louden of Little Rock and Eliza Smith of Austin
Section Leaders
Piccolo
Hannah Smith of Greenbrier
Clarinet
Mackenzie Murphy of Bryant and Rebecca Davis of Cabot
Saxophone
Mya Manes of Morrilton and Liz Barrett of Midlothian, Texas
Mellophone
Aaron Mack of Van Buren and Jacob Skaggs of Gentry
Trumpet
Jake Hodges of Russellville, Kris Campbell of Alma and Noah Pifer of Cabot
Trombone
Dawson Schalk of Dover and Taylor Jacobs of Mount Ida
Euphonium
Preston Keeter of Springdale
Sousaphone
Jake Castle of Greenwood and Lorenzo Castelano of Dardanelle
Percussion
Jessie Hernandez of Berryville and Marlon King of Pangburn
Color Guard
Josie Ward of Van Buren and Kristen Shirley of Cabot
Properties/Uniform Manager
Dylan Owen of Lavaca
Equipment Crew Manager
Luke Walker of Benbrook, Texas
Band Librarian
Tess Butler of Lake Hamilton
Instrument Managers
Zoe Covey-Smith of Cabot and Mackenzie Murphy of Bryant
