Recipients of the: Legacy Award in Music Education

Curtis Hollinger is a graduate of Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. In addition he has earned a M.M.Ed. from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. Hollinger has directed bands for forty years in the public school systems of Georgia and Alabama. He was the past director of the George Washington Carver High School Bands in Montgomery, and is past director of the Montgomery Public Schools All-City Bands and the first instrumental music director for the Alabama Governor's School of the Arts. Hollinger also served as director for three different high school bands from Montgomery District Band Festivals, and earning Superior Ratings in the process.

During Hollinger's teaching career, he has seen his music students move into exceptional careers. They also have become professional musicians, teachers, composers, directors, conductors, and performers, but they have perused numerous other career fields. In these various endeavors Hollinger's musical training and focus on desire, dedication and discipline, has positively impacted their chosen work.

Hollinger began clarinet study when he was in the fifth grade, and currently serves as principal clarinet for the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra - a position held since 1984. Additional experiences include participation in the Festival Clarinet Choirs of the International Clarinet Association Annual Festivals. Moreover, Hollinger plays clarinet in the Montgomery Woodwind Quintet and alto saxophone in the Montgomery Recreator's Big Band.

Hollinger's professional development includes attendance at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinics, and attendance at the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) conferences. Over the years he has served as judge for clarinets at Alabama All-State Music Festivals, adjudicator at District Band Festivals, State Band Festivals, Marching Band Festivals, Solo Ensemble Festivals and Clarinet Clinician at various schools and colleges. In March 2005, Hollinger served as music director for a local production of the Broadway musical "Purlie," which was performed at the Davis Theater.

Curtis Hollinger's most recent professional work has been band director of Loveless Academic Magnet Program Symphonic Band in Montgomery, Alabama. He also serves as an adjunct clarinet instructor at Troy University in Troy, Alabama, as well as an adjunct clarinet instructor at Faulkner University in Montgomery. In addition, Hollinger is an adjunct clarinet instructor at Huntingdon College Department of Music in Montgomery. Finally, Hollinger is a clarinetist in the orchestra for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's productions of "Man of La Mancha" and "Beauty and the Beast."