The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will host screenings of the documentary “Leaving a Legacy” – which chronicles the lives, triumphs, and disappointments of six band students at Northside High School – from Jan. 19-22 on the UAFS campus.
The first screening will occur Jan. 19, with a reception slated for 5:30 p.m. and the movie beginning at 6:15 p.m. Afterwards, the cast of the film will participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience. Those interested in attending the screening can acquire tickets through a $75 donation to the UAFS Foundation, with proceeds funding the Northside Legacy Scholarship Endowment.
Free screenings of the documentary will also occur at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 and 2 p.m. Jan. 22 without a reception or question-and-answer session. Donations for the scholarship fund are appreciated. All screenings will take place in the theatre of Windgate Art & Design, the university’s state-of-the-art visual arts facility.
Directed by Brenda Yelvington, a local filmmaker, “Leaving a Legacy” tells the story of six high school band students and the band directors whose goal is to help students conquer more than the music. The documentary was filmed throughout the 2013-14 school year, following the band from summer band rehearsals to graduation.
Yelvington traveled more than 800 miles with the band – including All-Region Band auditions in Clarksville, All-State Band auditions in Jonesboro, and All-State Band concerts in Hot Springs – and collected more than 150 hours of footage condensed into the 90-minute film.
The film features a score by Emmy Award-winning composer Kevin Croxton, two songs by local artist Bobby Statusssss, and a music composition by Yelvington and Croxton. Yelvington’s production company, ST Films, LLC, funded the filming and production of the documentary.
Dr. Mary Lackie, vice chancellor for university advancement and executive director of the UAFS Foundation, said she was excited to see the film and praised the filmmakers’ efforts to provide financial assistance to UAFS students.
“This inspirational film is sure to be a hit among educators, current and former band students, and anyone who supports student success,” Lackie said. “We are so grateful to the film’s executive producers Brenda Yelvington and Lavon Morton for establishing the Northside Legacy Scholarship Endowment and for using the film to help raise scholarship funds. The fund provides scholarships for two Northside students in each graduating class who attend UAFS. The first two four-year scholarships were awarded in the fall of 2016.”
In addition to the showings on UAFS campus, the film will also be screened at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Northside High School Auditorium, with tickets costing $2. Proceeds from this showing will benefit the Northside High School band program.
To acquire tickets and RSVP for the Jan. 19 screening, contact the UAFS Foundation at 479-788-7131 or email foundationevents@uafs.edu. For more information on “Leaving a Legacy,” contact Yelvington at Brenda.yelvington@gmail.com or 479-561-0051.
About the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is the premiere regional institution of Western Arkansas, connecting education with careers and serving as a driver of economic development and quality of place in the greater Fort Smith region. Through a small campus, dedicated professors, and the university’s unique bond with its community, students at UAFS are able to do more in the areas they are passionate about, both on- and off-campus, in a way that prepares them for post-graduate success. To find out how you can do more at UAFS, visit www.uafs.edu.