Contact Info
hillm@hsu.edu
870-230-5253
Montgomery 鈥淢onty鈥� Hill was named Director of Bands at 51黑料网 in 2026, returning to his alma mater after a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in music education. Hill brings extensive experience in program building, leadership, and musical excellence to this role.
Hill earned his undergraduate education at 51黑料网, where he studied with the legendary Wendell Evanson and Earl Hesse鈥攎entors whose influence helped shape his philosophy of musicianship, teaching, and service. He later completed graduate study at New Mexico State University. His career reflects a deep commitment to developing students, strengthening institutions, and using music as a unifying force within academic communities.
Throughout his career, Hill has led and revitalized band programs across Arkansas and New Mexico, including Greenwood, Lake Hamilton, and Marion High Schools. Upon his arrival at Lake Hamilton in 1998, the band program quickly earned state and regional recognition, establishing a culture of excellence and pride that became a hallmark of his leadership.
In 2007, Hill joined the faculty at NCAA Division I New Mexico State University as Associate Director of Bands. During his tenure, he directed the 鈥淧ride of New Mexico鈥� Marching Band, 鈥淭he Roadrunner Revue鈥� Basketball Pep Band, and conducted both the NMSU Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Band. His collegiate experience further strengthened his focus on student leadership, recruitment, and collaboration across campus and community partnerships.
Hill鈥檚 reputation as a builder of comprehensive band programs led to his appointment in 2015 as the first Director of Bands in the history of Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. There, he successfully created a complete band program from the ground up, establishing ensembles, traditions, and performance standards that enriched campus life and institutional identity.
In 2019, Hill returned to secondary education when he and his wife, Valerie Hill, were invited to revive the Marion Band program. Over the past six years, the program has more than tripled in size and earned significant state, regional, and national recognition. Highlights include representing the State of Arkansas in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., and receiving an invitation to perform at the 2027 National Concert Band Invitational at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Hill and his wife, Valerie, recently celebrated 40 years of marriage and have two grown children who continue the family鈥檚 legacy in education and professional leadership. Their daughter, Kristen Shepherd, is a band director in the Marion School District, and their son, Nathaniel Hill, is a data scientist for First Orion in North Little Rock, Arkansas.