Band Spectacular to Honor Lewis E. Epley, Jr.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band, complete with UA cheerleaders, pom squad, mascots, majorettes, twirlers and flag line, will perform its 10th Band Spectacular at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the Willard and Pat Walker Performing Arts Center at Springdale High School, 1103 W. Emma Ave., Springdale, Ark. The concert is free to the public.

The Spectacular will be dedicated to a special band supporter, Lewis E. Epley, Jr., who became the Voice of the Razorback Band in 1954 during his first year as a UA student, a role he served in for seven years while earning degrees in public administration and law.

As chairman of the Razorback Bands Committee of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, Epley is heading a drive to raise $5 million for the band endowment fund.

"He has devoted a large portion of his life to making life for the Razorback Band the best it can be. He loves our students and will do anything for them. Mr. Epley's tireless efforts on behalf of his beloved Razorback Band are largely responsible for the success we enjoy today," said Tim Gunter, director of athletic bands. "We appreciate him more than he can ever know."

In addition to his involvement with the band, Epley also served a 10-year term on the UA Board of Trustees, two of those years as chairman. He continues to serve the university as a member of the 2010 Commission, the Campaign Steering Committee and vice chairman of the UA Foundation Inc. He is on the board of directors for the Arkansas Alumni Association as well. The band building on campus is named in his honor.

The concert will feature much of the halftime and pre-game music from the 2004 football season, such as the "Darth Vader Defense Cheer" and "Hey Ya," as well as other traditional favorites, including several songs by Queen, "America the Beautiful" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

In addition to the Marching Razorbacks, the band program currently consists of three concert bands, two Hogwild basketball pep bands and one Hogwild volleyball pep band. Together these programs offer performance opportunities for 350 college musicians each year.

The Razorback Band, formed as the Cadet Corps Band in 1874, is one of the oldest collegiate bands in the United States. The Marching Razorbacks have performed at numerous bowls, including the Las Vegas, Citrus, Cotton, Sugar, Gator, Liberty, Independence and Orange Bowls, as well as during the halftime show of Dallas Cowboy football games. The band has played for President John F. Kennedy and, in 1992, participated in the presidential inaugural parade.

"The Razorback Marching Band is considered the class act of the Southeastern Conference and of the nation," said Gunter. "Its spirited musical support of the football team, intricate marching routines and rousing music have been trademarks of UA football games. The Band Spectacular offers the community a chance to hear the band in the comfortable surroundings of the Willard and Pat Walker Performing Arts Center at Springdale High School."