Monte Hill Davis Alexander

1932 - 2018

ALEXANDER, Monte Hill Davis Monte Hill Davis Alexander, eminent concert classical pianist, passed away on June 2, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. Mrs. Alexander was born in Many, Louisiana on May 24, 1932. She was raised in Nacogdoches, Texas until the age of 12 at which time she moved to Denton, Texas to further her musical studies. She had a long and distinguished career as a concert pianist and piano teacher. She began her piano studies at the age of 5 with Mame Middlebrook, and, at the age of 9, appeared as a soloist with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, performing the Mozart D Major Concerto (The Coronation). In Denton, she continued her studies with Dr's. Silvio and Isabel Scionti. She stayed in Denton through high school, and attended the University of North Texas; where in 1952 she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano and in 1957 she earned a Master of Music in Piano. In 1963, she studied piano in London with Ilona Kabos. During this time she was touring and performing in the United States, Brazil, Peru, Italy, Switzerland and Germany. She has also made appearances performing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra directed by Arthur Fiedler, and the National Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Mrs. Alexander, known as Miss Davis to many of her students, taught piano at several different Texas colleges and for most of her adult life, taught piano students in her home. She is beloved by them to this day. In 1949, Mrs. Alexander won a Gold Medal in the G.B. Dealey Memorial Award competition in Dallas. She won the Silver Medal in the Geneva International Competition in 1952. In 1953, she entered the Ferrucio Bussoni International Competition capturing second place. Mrs. Alexander won first prize in the International Competition in Munich, Germany in 1955. Monte is also one of the several hundred designated Steinway Artists in the world. In 1953, she returned from Europe to America to marry Jack David Alexander. She was widowed in 1962, and is survived by her daughters, Monte Ann Mahrer and Katherine Lee, as well as her son-in-law Bryan Lee, and her grandchildren: Daniel Lee, Andrew Alexander Mahrer, Lauren Kimberly Mahrer, Bret Monte Mahrer, Ruth Roddy and her husband Curtis Roddy, and great granddaughter Reagan Roddy. A Graveside Service for Mrs. Alexander will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 10am at Laurel Land Memorial Park (6000 S R L Thornton Fwy. Dallas, TX 75232).