Passion and Excellence = Paul A. Montemurro The late Paul A. Montemurro ’58 wasn’t able to be at a ceremony unveiling a plaque in his name. Yet the celebration was no doubt music to his ears. Former students and colleagues, family and friends, and current CMU band students filled the large new band room on the third floor of Classic Hall for the ceremony late Homecoming afternoon. Montemurro, who returned to CMU as a faculty member in 1967 and rebuilt and led the program before leaving in 1972 to head the band program at Oklahoma State University, was fondly and warmly – and often humorously – remembered during the ceremony, organized and emceed by John Cheary ’70. Rev. Dan Adkison ’72, another Montemurro protégé – gave the invocation. Murphy Tetley ’71 regaled the packed room with stories of lessons learned from “Prof” Montemurro. Other speakers included Janet Jacobs ’77, a member of the CMU Board of Trustees; Dr. Dori Waggoner ’92, dean of the Swinney
Conservatory; and current CMU Band Director Skip Vandelicht ’77. Paula Montemurro Lindon, Paul’s daughter, was called upon to give remarks on behalf of the Montemurro family, reminding everyone of the special place in their hearts for CMU and Fayette. Fresh from the Homecoming football game, the CMU Marching Band performed a pair of marches to entertain the audience, including one final rendition of “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite.” The other was “The Billboard March” by Klohr, arranged by Andy Glover ’83. The festivities concluded when Cheary unveiled the plaque for the new Paul A Montemurro Award, to be presented annually to a band member to “continue his powerful dedication to students and musicianship.” This new award has been established by CMU alumni and supporters. To donate to this award, contact the Office of Advancement.
Montemurro
by John Cheary ’70 Central College, 1953. Paul Montemurro had just received an honorable discharge from the 371st Army Band and had come to Central for an education. His temperamental nature was balanced by his warmth, humor, and exceptional trumpet playing, making him a favorite on campus. In 1967, this stout, barrel-chested man with a noticeable limp returned as director of bands at his alma mater. He inherited a very small band; but before the first rehearsal, he sent his students into the dorms to recruit new members. He had the vision to recognize that the then-Central Methodist College department of bands could not succeed unless he assumed the role of recruiter. He became master of the trade, traveling throughout the state, giving free clinics to high school bands directed by CMC graduates. After the rehearsal he would look at a high school student and say, “You need Central Methodist and Central Methodist needs you.” The results were unprecedented. At a time when Central’s enrollment stretched to reach six hundred, the band was more than one hundred strong. In 1968, Montemurro initiated the annual high school Jazz Festival. His 1969 brass choir was the first Swinney Conservatory performing ensemble to be invited to appear at the prestigious Missouri Music Educators State Conference. The 1970 Concert Band was next in line--the first of many subsequent performances. His Marching Eagle Bands performed for the St. Louis Cardinal Football game (1968) and the Kansas City Chiefs (1969). Both games had regional television coverage. His 1972 Concert Band was selected to perform at the Southwest Divisional Meeting of the Music Educators National Conference held in Albuquerque, N.M. The Concert Band received several standing ovations from an audience full of music educators from the finest universities and high schools across the nation. The CMC Concert Band had arrived! Under Montemurro, the pursuit of excellence started when he raised his baton on day one and did not end until the last note of the recessional at graduation. Every rehearsal of every ensemble was a battle for perfection. This high level of expectation created frustration, conflict, excitement and— ultimately—moving performances. Interspersed in this never-ending intensity were deep levels of caring. He was always there for his “band kids.” Even after we graduated, he would do everything he could to help us. Montemurro was buoyant, expansive, passionate. His teaching was communicated intuitively. To benefit, you had to be “tuned in” to him—what he was trying to say, what he was feeling. He smiled with his entire body, and he roared like a jet. But he placed his trumpet on his lips with a look of unbearable joy as it filled the room with unimaginable creativity. The power of his playing lifted everyone. His rehearsal techniques became etched into our musical DNA. Many of his CMC graduates became enormously successful band directors, professional musicians, authors, and clinicians. In July Prof. Montemurro passed away. During his funeral service in St. Joseph, Mo., the list of his accomplishments took several minutes to read. We were all spellbound during the reading. Because of his humble nature, we were unaware of his many honors and outstanding accomplishments. In deepest gratitude for his influence on our lives, the Paul A. Montemurro Award has been created to benefit a student exhibiting similar enthusiasm, leadership, and musicianship. From left: John Cheary unveils the Montemurro plaque; Murph Tetley, Paula Montemurro Lindon, and Rev. Dan Adkison speak; the plaque up close.
Fall 2012
Central Methodist University
Talon
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