Bentonville High School Wind Ensemble

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The Bentonville Wind Ensemble is the premier concert ensemble of the Bentonville High School Band Program in Bentonville, Arkansas. Comprising students from grades 9 through 12, membership is determined through a competitive audition process. The ensemble performs collegiate-level repertoire and serves as the flagship of the Bentonville Band Program. Under the direction of Tim Hendrix, Director of Bands at Bentonville High School, the Wind Ensemble has achieved significant recognition. Notably, they were invited to perform at the 79th annual Midwest Clinic, a prestigious international band and orchestra conference. Additionally, the ensemble was selected as the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association (ASBOA) Class 7A State Honor Band in both 2022 and 2024. The Bentonville Wind Ensemble also participated in the 2019 National Concert Band Festival as a Premiere Ensemble, where they were the first high school to perform James M. Stephenson’s Symphony No. 2 “Voices.”

Bentonville High School Wind Ensemble

Conductor's Bio

Timothy Hendrix is the Director of Bands at Bentonville High School, currently in his 18th year of teaching and 9th year at BHS. He conducts the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band and oversees the Bentonville PRIDE Marching Band. Under his direction, the Bentonville Wind Ensemble has been recognized at both the state and national levels. In 2019, the ensemble performed as a Premiere Ensemble at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival and was the first high school to present James M. Stephenson’s Symphony No. 2, “Voices.” The group was named the ASBOA Class 7A State Honor Band in 2022 and again in 2024. The Bentonville PRIDE Marching Band has been named a Bands of America Super Regional Finalist 10 times and a Grand National Semifinalist in 2016, 2018, and 2023. In 2023, the band became the first Arkansas ensemble to perform as a Grand National Finalist and was awarded the Sudler Shield for excellence in marching music. Before joining the faculty at Bentonville, Mr. Hendrix taught at Jonesboro High School, Paragould High School, and Stuttgart Junior High School. His bands are known for their musical sensitivity and thoughtful programming. Mr. Hendrix is a recipient of the Phi Beta Mu Arkansas Young Band Director of the Year Award (2015), Region 8 Teacher of the Year (2013), and Bentonville High School Fine Arts Teacher of the Year (2017). In 2023, he was recognized by School Band and Orchestra magazine as one of its "50 Directors Who Make a Difference." He is an active clinician and leadership development presenter, with sessions presented for the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association (ASBOA), the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA), and other regional events. He also serves as moderator of the Arkansas Band Directors Facebook group, supporting collaboration among over 1,300 music educators across the state. Prior to his teaching career, Mr. Hendrix served as a French horn instrumentalist in the United States Navy Band, stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He earned both his Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education and his Master’s degree in Education from Arkansas State University. He is married to Nakeli Hendrix, and they have two children, Sophia and Dean.

Additional Directors

Philip Shewmaker

Nick Fernandez