Meet William Rowe, a name resonating within both the Conway and Razorback marching band legacies. William's journey began at Conway High School, where his passion for music and dedication to excellence shone brightly under the guidance of Band Director Nathan Cunningham.
A young and ambitious trumpeter, William's pursuit of musical mastery was evident in every note he played. His high school years were a symphony of achievements: leading the trumpet section in the Wampus Cat Marching Band, performing in the jazz and symphonic bands, securing a coveted spot in the all-region band, and earning a 1st division medal at solo and ensemble.
Reflecting on William's tenure, Mr. Cunningham fondly recalls his conversations about the University of Arkansas, particularly William's aspirations to join the illustrious Razorback Marching Band. "It gives teachers so much joy to see our students fulfill their dreams—Will is doing exactly that!" Mr. Cunningham expresses, echoing the sentiments of all the directors in Conway who swell with pride at William's accomplishments.
Today, William Rowe stands tall as a drum major in the renowned Razorback Marching Band, bridging his invaluable experiences from Conway to his current musical endeavors at the University of Arkansas. His journey exemplifies the spirit of dedication, ambition, and the fulfillment of dreams, inspiring both current and future students in their pursuit of excellence.
“My name is William Rowe, I graduated from Conway High in 2019 and am now a senior at the University of Arkansas studying mechanical engineering and minoring in music, math, and physics. I have been a member of the Razorback Marching Band for 5 years: 1 year as a trumpet section leader, and 2 years as drum major. As a Conway native, it has been an absolute pleasure to participate in Arkansas' flagship university marching band. Going from the CHS Wampus Cat Marching Band to the RMB was a huge step, but it was an easy one given all of the support I had and the legacy that many Conway alumni had left at the University.
Every year in the RMB, we perform 6 different halftime shows, sometimes with 3 weeks of preparation, and sometimes with less than 1. We take pride in our traditional pregame show, which changes very little year-to-year but is always a crowd-pleaser and is always something we are working on. We play at multiple pep rallies before the games and throughout the semester, all varying in size and needs. To experience all of this as a fan, a trumpet player, and a drum major has been very eye-opening. I have been able to feel the excitement of performing in so many ways, and I have learned a lot about the logistics and organization of our band program.
Being a drum major at UARK has been an extra special honor, especially since I'm following in the footsteps of Mr. Nathan Cunningham, Conway High's current head band director, former UARK drum major, and my jr. high and high school director. Mr. Cunningham gave me a lot of reason and inspiration to attend UARK, as he always spoke very highly of the RMB. Once I got to college, my inspiration only grew while being around the performers, directors, and the culture of the band. Everyone had so much passion for the marching arts and there were so many great people whose community I quickly became a part of. I am also a member of the Lambda chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, where my musicianship, brotherhood, and passion for service have grown significantly.
Beyond the RMB, I have been a part of the UARK Wind Symphony for 3 years and the Hogwild Pep band for 4 years. I have had the privilege of traveling to Tampa, Memphis, Dallas, and 5 other SEC schools to play at away football games and bowl games, and I have traveled to Nashville and Tampa to play at UARK Men's basketball tournaments. For the past three summers, I have toured and performed with world-class drum corps Carolina Crown and Phantom Regiment, both part of Drum Corps International and both having a very significant impact on my life.
I can't say that any of this would have been possible without my initial love for the marching arts at Conway High School and the incredible experiences I have had in the Razorback Marching Band. WOO PIG and GO WAMPUS CATS!”
-William Rowe
