The University of Arkansas Band Program is pleased to announce the appointment of Benjamin Lorenzo to the position of associate director of bands and director of athletic bands. Lorenzo will serve as director of the 335-plus member Razorback Marching Band, conduct the Symphonic Band, and teach courses in the University of Arkansas Department of Music.  

Since 2012 Lorenzo has served as the assistant director of bands at Oklahoma State University where he assisted with the teaching and administration of the OSU Cowboy Marching Band and Spirit Band, taught courses in music education, and supervised student teachers. His prior teaching experience included a one-year appointment as assistant director of bands at Texas Tech University and four years of high school teaching experience at DeSoto Senior High School in DeSoto, Texas, and Braddock Senior High School in Miami, Florida.  

Lorenzo's academic record is excellent. He maintains an active level of scholarly work, reflected by numerous publications and presentations at national and regional conferences. He holds a Bachelor of Music in trombone performance with instrumental music teaching certification from Florida International University, and the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in wind conducting from the University of Texas at Austin. He was also a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps 1998-1999 and the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps 2002-2003.  

"We are excited to have Dr. Ben Lorenzo join the Department of Music faculty," said Chris Knighten, director of bands. "Dr. Lorenzo brings extensive experience to the band faculty after several years of teaching high school and university concert bands and marching bands. His record of creative show design for college marching bands is excellent, but he also understands the importance of tradition to university bands and at athletic events. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to teach and produce excellent ensembles grounded in a student-first, educational environment."