There is a new and unprecedented opportunity to hear Arkansas Tech University’s premier instrumental ensemble from the comfort of one’s home or the convenience of one’s car.
Record label Tonsehen has made the first professionally recorded and internationally released compact disc of instrumental music by Arkansas Tech students. The recording includes ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble performances of “Symphony No. 2” by James Syler and “the softest breath” by Roy Magnuson.
Copies of the CD are available for $9.99 by visiting www.tonsehen.com/collections/albums/products/atu-symphonic-wind-ensemble-syler-magnuson.
The CD is also available by contacting the ATU Department of Music at (479) 968-0368.
Streaming service Spotify has made the recording available to its listeners. It is anticipated it will soon become available on iTunes.
The recordings were made Nov. 22-23, 2019, at Witherspoon Auditorium on the ATU campus in Russellville. Dr. Daniel A. Belongia, director of bands and professor of music, is conductor of the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
“I’m profoundly proud and grateful for our students, faculty and the folks at Tonsehen records who made this recording possible,” said Belongia. “It’s a significant achievement, and it simply wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my incredible students, colleagues, alumni and community support. I sincerely hope that this recording is enjoyed by all those who hear it and that it serves as a musical scrapbook and point of pride for all those involved.”
Christian Amonson, retired U.S. Marine Band recording engineer, captured the recordings with aid from producers Dr. Jim Daughters and Dr. TJ Perry of the ATU Department of Music faculty as well as Syler and Magnuson. Neil Brown oversaw the audio post production and Shelley Goldstein provided graphic design.
Proceeds from the sale of the CDs will be invested in the further development of the instrumental music program at Arkansas Tech.
Performers who appear on the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble recording include:
Flute/Piccolo
Ger Vang of Decatur
Anna Shain of Paragould
Diana Nava of Russellville
Miranda Kraus of Russellville
Meeka Smith of Muldrow, Okla.
Oboe/English Horn
Hannah Cochran of Russellville
Grace Davis of Cabot
Sarah Hooten of Russellville
Bassoon/Contrabassoon
Anna Bloodworth of Russellville
Megan McGinnis of Van Buren
Clarinets
Kaela Thompson of Berryville
Anna Shelton of Cabot
Piper Turner of Van Buren
Jessica Garrett of Little Rock
Morgan Bates of Cabot
Megan Garrett of Little Rock
Corrigan Burkett of Springdale
Low Clarinets
Shelby Horne of Greenwood
Piper Turner of Van Buren
Saxophones
Manuel Valente of Van Buren
Jordan Davis of DeWitt
Cole Birmingham of Russellville
Patricia Tobar of Rogers
Tina Christiansen of Van Buren
Horn
Garrett Napier of Greenwood
Sierra Visger-Napier of Clarksville
Jimmy Rhine of Cabot
Isaac Deaver of Fort Smith
Trumpets
David Hall of Cabot
Tyler Loretz of Castle Pines, Colo.
Triston Goss of Van Buren
Kiera Klein of Cabot
Malcolm Penka of Dover
Sanders Hilburn of Cabot
Josh Martin of Hot Springs
Trombone
Jacob Hawkins of Cabot
Kaleb Collins of Springdale
Noah Ward of DeWitt
Billy Brown of Rogers
Bass Trombone
Riley Kelley of Russellville
Euphonium
Corey Nolan of Russellville
Ian Quinn of Green Forest
Tuba
Michael Barker of Van Buren
Avery Langston of El Dorado
Katie Rodriguez of Russellville
Percussion
Ian Neiswender of Cabot
Ethan Nooner of Hot Springs
Bryan Torres of Rogers
Adam Chasteen of Maumelle
Allison Spears of Van Buren
Bo Hamilton of Atkins
Alexis Harris of Dover
Blaed Walters of Muldrow, Okla.
Piano/Celeste
Hauna Gardner of Dover
Contrabass
Tandem Young of Dover
Learn more about the ATU Department of Music at www.atu.edu/music.
