Melvin B. "Mel" Montgomery

Mr. Montgomery will have a positive impact on his students for the rest of our lives, both young and old alike. He was not only a great teacher but a man of great integrity. I played in his SFA bands in the early 1980's and majored in music and became a band director. My appreciation and respect for him grew each year I taught, and I used so many of his ideas and materials. He was one of the great educators of our time, and he will live through us with the concepts of hard work, respect,...

While still an undergratuate student at Hardin-Simmons University and before working on a Masters program at Arizona State U., I went to Snyder to meet Montgomery. I was looking for ideas and inspiration. I asked him how he had managed to create such a successful program, and he said, "Well; it's not that hard - "Kids can accomplish anything if you don't convince them they can't!" At the moment I though he had given me a "throw away" answer. But he was right - groups live up or down to our...

I was in the Lumberjack Band under Mr. Montgomery from 1974-1978. I was the "flute from Irving" when we were out on the marching field. As a senior we did the Star Wars show and since I sew, Mr. Montgomery ask me to make a black fabric liner for the Darth Vader helmet! I loved college band, especially marching band! After four years of contest stress in high school, Mr. Montgomery showed us that band really could be fun.
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were special to all of us in band and...

Mr. Montgomery started me on saxophone in 1948 in the 4th grade at SFA in Port Acres, TX. I have continued my love of music throughout my life, and still participate in a community band in Lexington, KY. I cannot imagine what my life would be like now without my music, and I am eternally grateful to Mr. Montgomery for planting the seeds of music participation and appreciation that have blossomed into such a big part of my life today. Thank you, Mel, and RIP! Billie Jo (Barrows) Dandeneau,...

As a colleague with Mel at SFA in the 70's, I was always impressed with his professionalism and his great teaching and musicianship. His students have all done well in music education and he was a true inspiration to everyone who worked with him as well as the students he taught. He will be remembered as a true giant in our profession. RIP

Mr. Montgomery was my band director in Snyder Texas from 1961-1964. Few people have had an impact on my life like he did. You could not help but want to do your very best for him in any performance, and he taught lessons of discipline and confidence that have stayed with me for all these years.

I was in the LJB for only two years, yet Mr. Montgomery is a towering figure in my life. I had such a deep respect for him. He sometimes filled me with fear and trembling because I wanted to perform my best for him, yet he had a smile that could fill the room with light. I especially enjoyed our email correspondence after he retired, and was so impressed - yet not surprised - that he showed interest in continuing to keep up with the many people who wanted to stay connected to him, even as his...

Mr Montgomery was my band director from 1980 to 1983. It always amused me that he could remember which high school you attended quicker than your name. Mr Montgomery, you were highly respected and much loved. You meant so much to so many of us. See you on the other side.