Hail Dear Ole State.... Thanks For The Memories Dr. Sills!

In Memoriam....Dr. Kent Sills

Dr. Kent Sills died at his home in Starkville on May 3, 2006. He was 72 years old.
Dr. Sills began his teaching career as Band Director at Lumberton (MS) High School in 1956 before accepting a similar position at Clarksdale High School in 1961. He joined the staff at Mississippi State University in 1967 as Assistant Director of Bands and in 1983 was appointed only the sixth director in the band's 100 year storied history. He served as Director of Bands and Professor of Music Education at Mississippi State University until his retirement in 1999.
While at Mississippi State he founded the MSU Stage Band (1967), established the MSU Jazz Band Festival, the MSU Junior High Band Festival, and directed the "Famous Maroon Band" at MSU football and basketball games.
Dr. Sills also served as the Manager and Director of the Mississippi Lions All-State High School Band from 1983 until 1997. Under his leadership, the Lions Band won seven international championships and never finished lower than second place in any competition, performing in Asia, Australia and across North America.
A graduate of Kosciusko (MS) High School, Dr. Sills held a Bachelor of Music Education degree (1956) and master of Education degree (1959) from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also held a master of Music degree (1967) and Doctor of Arts (1977) from the University of Mississippi. In 1996 he was awarded as "Outstanding Contributor to Bands to the State of Mississippi" by Phi Beta Mu, and in 2000 was selected for the Mississippi Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
From 1954 through 1960 Dr. Sills traveled throughout the country performing with his popular swing band "Kent Sills and His Southerners." He also was a veteran of the U.S. Army and performed with the U.S. Army Reserve Band. Throughout his career he served as adjudicator and conductor at numerous band festivals and clinics.
He is survived by his wife, Nora Sills of Starkville, a son, Dr. Allen Kent Sills, Jr. of Collierville, Tennessee and grandchildren, Hannah and Tyler.
Call hours will be Saturday, May 6 from 5:00-8:00 pm and Sunday, May 7 from 1:00-2:30 pm at First Baptist Church in Starkville. Service to be held Sunday at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the MSU Foundation Band Hall Fund, P.O. Box 6092, Mississippi State, MS 39762.