Arkansas Tech Band of Distinction – Hal Cooper Era

Hal Cooper Sr. earned his BME and MME from Henderson State University, studying and performing under Wendell Evanson, and pursued graduate work at the University of North Texas with Robert Winslow. He began his career as band director at Sheridan and El Dorado, Arkansas, before his 1979 appointment as Director of Bands at Arkansas Tech University, succeeding Gene Witherspoon. Over the next 32 years, he transformed the “Band of Distinction” through the integration of drill movement and design accented by color to enhance the beauty and clarity of sound to its fullest potential. The concert ensembles were invited to perform at numerous state, regional, and national venues, receiving significant acclaim from audiences of musicians. Cooper is in the Arkansas Bandmasters' Hall of Fame, Henderson State Distinguished Alumnus, and Emeritus faculty plus Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 2017, cementing his legacy as one of the university’s most influential musical leaders.

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Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2004-11-13

Arkansas Tech University

Halftime show: Arkansas Tech University vs. Catawba College: "A little bit country, a little bit marching band," Fugue and finale from "The Mask of Zorro" / James Horner, Jay Bocook -- Tennessee squire dance / Chris Crockarell -- Wabash Cannonball -- Dueling banjos / Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith -- Arkansas Tech fight song. Chuck Hughes, banjo.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2005

Arkansas Tech University

Contest show: Ouachita Valley Invitational Show, "Cirque du Solei: Quidam," Drum cadence -- Prelude and Atmadja ; Quidam; love for all ; Incantations ; Encore and Finale / Benoît Jutras, composer.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2005-10-15

Arkansas Tech University

Halftime show: Arkansas Tech University vs. Ouachita Baptist University; "Cirque du Solei: Quidam," Prelude and Atmadja ; Quidam; love for all ; Incantations ; Encore and Finale / Benoît Jutras, composer.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2006 Region VII Contest

Arkansas Tech University

Contest show: "Selections from American Movies," Drum cadence / Brian Stackhouse -- Vesuvian man Robinhood theme / Michael Kamen -- Let the good times roll from Ray / James Palmer arrangement Chris Davis -- King Kong theme / James Newton Howard.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2006

Arkansas Tech University

Halftime show: "Selections from American Movies," Drum cadence / Brian Stackhouse -- Vesuvian man Robinhood theme / Michael Kamen -- Let the good times roll from Ray / Sam Theard, Fleecie Moore -- King Kong theme / James Newton Howard.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2006-10-10

Arkansas Tech University

Contest Show: Russellville Marching Contest, "Selections from American Movies," Drum cadence / Brian Stackhouse -- Vesuvian man Robinhood theme / Michael Kamen -- Let the good times roll from Ray / James Palmer arrangement Chris Davis -- King Kong theme / James Newton Howard.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2007-10-27

Arkansas Tech University

Halftime show: Arkansas Tech University v.s. Ouachita Baptist University; "Music from American composers," Romantic symphony No.2 ; Chorale and Alleluia / Howard Hanson -- Old man river / That ol' black magic / Richard L. Saucedo -- Spain / Chick Corea -- Sonoran desert holiday / Ron Nelson.
ASBOA Region II Marching Contest 2008-10-21

Arkansas Tech University

Contest show: ASBOA Region II Marching Contest,"Sound of the '70s," You're still a young man ; What is hip / Tower of Power -- Wind and lion / Jerry Goldsmith -- Go down gamblin' / Blood, Sweat, and Tears -- Raiders of the Lost Ark ; Star Wars / John Williams

Video production by RBAA Films, Little Rock, AR.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2009-10-14

Arkansas Tech University

Halftime show: Arkansas Tech University vs. Henderson State University; "Just dance," River dance -- Sabre dance / Aram Khachturian -- Amica buelos -- Danse bohème from Carmen / Georges Bizet -- I love rock n' roll / Joan Jett & The blackhearts -- Ritual fire dance / Manuel de Falla.
ASBOA Region II Marching Contest 2009-10-20

Arkansas Tech University

Contest show: ASBOA Region II Marching Contest. "Just dance," River dance -- Sabre dance / Aram Khachturian -- Amica buelos -- Danse bohème from Carmen / Georges Bizet -- I love rock n' roll / Joan Jett & The blackhearts -- Ritual fire dance / Manuel de Falla -- Coda from Incantation and dance / James Barnes Chance.

Video production by RBAA Films -- Little Rock -- AR.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2010-09-10

Arkansas Tech University

Halftime show: Arkansas Tech University vs. Valdosta State University; "Steely Dan"- Reeling in the years / Donald Fagen and Walter Becker -- Peg / Donald Fagen and Walter Becker -- Josie / Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
ASBOA Region II Marching Contest 2010-10-26

Arkansas Tech University

Contest show: ASBOA Region II Marching Contest. "The music of W.Francis McBeth," Ishmael from Of sailors and whales ; Chant and jubilo from Divergents, A Short Symphony for Symphonic Band ; Grendal from Beowulf ; Queequeg from Of sailors and whales -- Lauds and tropes from Capriccio Concertante / W. Francis McBeth.

Video production by RBAA Films -- Little Rock -- AR.
Arkansas Tech University Band of Distinction 2010-10-30

Arkansas Tech University

Halftime show: Arkansas Tech University vs. Ouachita Baptist University; "The music of W.Francis McBeth," Ishmael from Of sailors and whales ; Chant and jubilo from Divergents, A Short Symphony for Symphonic Band ; Grendal from Beowulf ; Queequeg from Of sailors and whales -- Lauds and tropes from Capriccio Concertante / W. Francis McBeth.