2017 Arkansas Tech Band Festival

Abby Hagner, Staff Writer

Arkansas Tech held their second music festival at Russellville High School Thurs., March 30. Both Symphonic band and Wind Ensemble attended this year.

Wind Ensemble’s pieces included “Esprit De Corps” by Robert Jager, “October” by Eric Whitacre and “Whip and Spur” by James Madison.

Jay Chipman, the director of Symphonic band, is very proud of the band’s accomplishments and how they played.  

“The band had their best performance of our assessment music since the day it was handed out,” Chipman said. “I thought it was beautifully played. We had diversity that was placed upon us in the last moment before going up to the performance, and the [kids] handled it perfectly.”

Senior Agustina Rey’s favorite part of the festival was hearing feedback from the band director at the University of Kentucky.

“He said that we had a great balance,” Rey said. “Our pieces included a beautiful piece, a slow one, and we one that was a energetic march,” Rey said.

Junior Nicholas Herrington, a baritone player, attended the festival last year and this year.
“I’d say I was definitely more confident this year as a junior,” Herrington said. “I feel as if Wind Ensemble has greatly improved since last year, making it truly memorable experience.”