The Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform the primetime concert at the College Band Directors National Association Southwestern Division Conference in Denton, Texas, on Thursday, Feb. 26.
The 90-minute concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Winspear Performance Hall on the University of North Texas campus.
The ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble will offer a preview of its CBDNA performance during a 2:30 p.m. send-off concert at Witherspoon Auditorium, 407 West Q Street on the Arkansas Tech campus in Russellville, on Sunday, Feb. 22. Admission to the preview performance will be free and open to the public.
This marks the eighth time that an Arkansas Tech concert band has been selected to perform at a CBDNA conference. ATU was previously represented by its bands at such an event in 1967 and 1974 under the leadership of Gene Witherspoon, in 1990, 1992 and 1996 under the leadership of Hal Cooper, in 2014 under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Anderson and in 2018 under the leadership of Dr. Daniel A. Belongia.
The 2026 CBDNA selection was based upon judges’ blind evaluations of musical recordings made by the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble during the 2024-25 academic year.
“The College Band Directors National Association represents the group of my colleagues that wants to work together as often as possible to advance the repertoire, create opportunities for students to perform and share that with each other,” said Belongia, ATU professor of music, ATU director of bands and conductor of the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble since 2015. “Before we begin, I’m just going to be thinking thank you to everything and everyone. It’s a miracle that 55 or so musicians can gather in a space. It’s a miracle that humans can manipulate sound waves into a shape that’s pleasing for others to here. And it is truly a miracle that this group of human beings is going to move down the interstate, into the hotels, down the road and be gathered in this space to celebrate this music and everyone’s shared humanity.”
The ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble will begin its CBDNA concert with a performance of “Re(new)al” by Viet Cuong. The performance of “Re(new)al” will feature Epoch Percussion, which was formed at the University of Texas at Austin in 2016 and consists of Nigel Fernandez, Dr. Cory Fica, Dr. Oni Lara and Dr. Andrew Lynge. Fica serves as instructor of music at ATU.
Dr. Phoebe Robertson, ATU assistant professor of music, will appear as flute soloist as part of a performance of three movements from “Mnicakmun (Sounds of Water)” by William Linthicum-Blackhorse.
Next will be one movement from “River of Time,” a concerto for trumpet that will feature Dr. TJ Perry, ATU associate professor of music. The piece was written by David Biedenbender.
Following an intermission, the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble will close the show with “and the swallow” by Caroline Shaw as arranged by Danielle Fisher and Brian Balmages’ symphony “Windows and Mirrors.”
Dr. Katherine Rohwer, ATU assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, will guest conduct on the Shaw and Fisher piece.
“This evening really represents to me, in every capacity, an evening with friends,” said Belongia. “Dallas is close enough that our friends can be with us. A lot of our administration, alumni, family and friends will be there, and these compositions and these composers are, in many ways, friends.”
In addition to the send-off concert on Feb. 22 and the CBDNA performance on Feb. 26, the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble will make stops and perform at Greenwood High School (Ark.), Mustang High School (Okla.) and Ryan High School (Texas) on its way to Denton.
Belongia said that support from Dr. Jeffrey Cass, dean of the ATU College of Arts and Humanities; Dr. Jeff Bright, head of the ATU Department of Music; Bryan Fisher, ATU vice president for advancement; and Dr. Becky Callaway, former member of the ATU faculty and benefactor for the ATU music program, was essential in making the trip possible.
Members of the 2025-26 ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble who will perform at the CBDNA Southwestern Division Conference are listed below.
Flutes and Piccolos
Taylor Brigance of Siloam Springs
Lydia Logston of Spiro, Okla.
Alex Perez of Clarksville
Eaddie Sanchez of Russellville
Double Reeds
Kelton McGhee of Morrilton
Jennifer Belongia of Russellville
Brandon Williams of Russellville
Teagan Hartwright of Lucas, Texas
Rhett Neagles of Russellville
Clarinets
Rebecca Davis of Cabot
Mary Best of Lonoke
Jordan Clark of Benton
Vincent Dischiavi of Russellville
Holten Friend of Deltona, Fla.
Lizbeth Nuñez of Dardanelle
Aryana Robison of Charleston
Martha Smith Gomez of Decatur
Saxophones
Matt Shirey of Hot Springs
Abby Chuang of Hot Springs
Gabe Hodges of Russellville
Natalie Sanders of Cabot
Samuel Spann of East End
Horns
Luke Walker of Fort Worth, Texas
Caelah Carvin of Hot Springs
Madison Cole of Hot Springs
Rachel Estep of Springdale
Dalton McPherson of Sheridan
Osvaldo Ramirez of Dardanelle
Trumpets
Kris Campbell of Alma
Gabriel Avila of Dardanelle
Addy Barnes of Greenwood
Savana Green of Hot Springs
Evelyn Leding of Ozark
Owen Ridenhour of Waldron
Jacob Thompson of Ozark
Trombones
Gunner Hodges of Harrison
Gabe Graff of Cabot
Taylor Jacobs of Mount Ida
John Carl Laidler of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
Blake Mitchell of Cabot
Euphoniums
Preston Keeter of Springdale
Elisha Escobar of Russellville
Marvin Velazquez of Waldron
Tuba and Contrabass
Lorenzo Castelano-Chavez of Dardanelle
Sydney Stalnaker of Ola
Jesse Wells of Sheridan
Ryder May of Hot Springs
Percussion
Emanuel Chambers of Hector
Axel Arroyo of Rogers
Nathan Brady of Cabot
Miguel Diaz-Moreno of Dardanelle
Renlee Espinosa of Bald Knob
Kira Odom of Ozark
Kraigen Partee of Mountain Home
Peyton Stephens of Springdale
Harp
Dr. Colleen Potter Thorburn of Conway
Piano
Dr. Adam P. Miller of Monroe, Mich.
