06/01/2026
Sunday– current, future, and alumni students of Arkansas Tech University, including both collegiate and alumni Brothers, gathered for a Celebration of Life concert honoring the late Hal Cooper Sr. and H.L. Shepherd, both legends in not just the history of ATU Music, but of music across Arkansas and the rest of the nation. Mr. Cooper was initiated into Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia in Fall of 2012 as part of the Kappa Eta chapter following his time as Director of Bands at ATU.
Both of these men were dedicated wholeheartedly to the advancement of music in America and understood just the power that music holds. Both inspired countless students, musicians, and educators in both Arkansas and beyond over the span of their lifetimes. They leave behind a legacy of devotion to their art, to their students, and to the music community as a whole.
Here is the volunteer band, driven by remembrance and love for these two outstanding individuals, performing Brian Balmages’ arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner (conducted by Prissy Buchanon, ATU class of 1966), in memory of Cooper and Shepherd’s pride for the nation they helped spread a love of music across.
