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.
Visit www.atu.edu/humanities/music to learn more about the ATU Department of Music.
