Dennis Montgomery III
Encyclopedia
Dennis Montgomery III is an African American pianist
, organist
, and professor
. Montgomery has been the director for the noted Berklee College of Music
Reverence Gospel Ensemble for nearly 30 years.
at Stonewall Baptist Church in Shreveport but he was not the only one playing into Montgomery’s life. Montgomery’s mother also played organ but unlike her husband was trained classically which only continued to broaden Montgomery's musical horizons.
in 1983, declared piano
as his principal instrument
and majored in Music Education
. Shortly after his arrival at Berklee, he immediately headed for the gospel choir which at that time was only a extra curricular activity. Montgomery soon joined the choir as a student director and accompanist to assist former Berklee faculty member Orville Wright. A year after his arrival with the choir, Montgomery saw the addition of the gospel choir to the permanent curriculum with an academic weight of two credits. Because of Montgomery’s strong belief of being wholly educated in whatever field one might study, he was very pleased with the adding of the choir to the school’s curriculum. When asked why he thought the addition of the choir was crucial to the school he said, “We know that jazz has its roots in the negro spiritual, which is gospel
music. Gospel is also the mother of a lot of other secular music that America has produced."
, South America
, Europe
, and Australia
all come to be apart of the choir. Montgomery states, “When I was young, I had to learn European
musical styles. So when foreign students come to Berklee, I think it is important to educate them in a true form of American music." The choir has served as a catalyst for some premiere voices in the music industry such as Paula Cole
‘90, Lalah Hathaway
‘90, Susan Tedeschi
'91, Claude Kelly
‘02, Rob Lewis ‘86 and Mark Whitfield
‘87.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
. Montgomery has been the director for the noted Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
Reverence Gospel Ensemble for nearly 30 years.
Childhood
Montgomery grew up singing and playing in Baptist churches around the upper Louisiana area under the tutelage of his father and mother, Dennis Montgomery II and Eddie Mae Montgomery. By the time he was nine years old Montgomery was proficient enough on the Hammond B3 Organ to get hired to work alongside his father at Stonewall Baptist Church and also at nearby St. Mary's Baptist Church. Montgomery’s father, who played mostly by ear, was the minister of musicMusic
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
at Stonewall Baptist Church in Shreveport but he was not the only one playing into Montgomery’s life. Montgomery’s mother also played organ but unlike her husband was trained classically which only continued to broaden Montgomery's musical horizons.
Education
Montgomery came to Berklee College of MusicBerklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in 1983, declared piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
as his principal instrument
Instrument
Instrument may refer to:* Instrument , a documentary of the band Fugazi, directed by Jem Cohen* Instruments , a performance visualizer-Science and technology:...
and majored in Music Education
Music education
Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. It touches on all domains of learning, including the psychomotor domain , the cognitive domain , and, in particular and significant ways,the affective domain, including music appreciation and sensitivity...
. Shortly after his arrival at Berklee, he immediately headed for the gospel choir which at that time was only a extra curricular activity. Montgomery soon joined the choir as a student director and accompanist to assist former Berklee faculty member Orville Wright. A year after his arrival with the choir, Montgomery saw the addition of the gospel choir to the permanent curriculum with an academic weight of two credits. Because of Montgomery’s strong belief of being wholly educated in whatever field one might study, he was very pleased with the adding of the choir to the school’s curriculum. When asked why he thought the addition of the choir was crucial to the school he said, “We know that jazz has its roots in the negro spiritual, which is gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
music. Gospel is also the mother of a lot of other secular music that America has produced."
Reverence Gospel Ensemble
Montgomery graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1988 and assumed the direction of the Reverence Gospel Ensemble as a full time faculty member. Since Montgomery attained complete direction of the choir, they have become one of the best known groups of the college both far and wide. Montgomery believes that the choir is a fundamental ingredient of the American experience for international students, which is probably why students from all over AsiaAsia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
all come to be apart of the choir. Montgomery states, “When I was young, I had to learn European
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
musical styles. So when foreign students come to Berklee, I think it is important to educate them in a true form of American music." The choir has served as a catalyst for some premiere voices in the music industry such as Paula Cole
Paula Cole
Paula Cole is an American singer/songwriter. Her single "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997, and the following year she won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.-Early life:...
‘90, Lalah Hathaway
Lalah Hathaway
Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway best known as Lalah Hathaway referred to as the First Daughter of Soul, is a contemporary R&B and jazz singer. She is the daughter of soul singer Donny Hathaway and a classically trained vocalist. In 1990, Lalah Hathaway released a self-titled album. The album's first...
‘90, Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi is an American blues and soul musician, who has received multiple Grammy Award nominations, and is well-known for her singing voice, guitar playing, stage presence, and marriage to blues guitarist Derek Trucks...
'91, Claude Kelly
Claude Kelly
Claude Kelly is an American singer-songwriter. He has a prolific discography, well known for writing for artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson, Jay Sean, Adam Lambert, Jessie J and Charice.-Career:He began playing the piano...
‘02, Rob Lewis ‘86 and Mark Whitfield
Mark Whitfield
Mark Whitfield is an American hard bop and soul-jazz guitarist born in Syosset, New York, probably better known for his recordings as bandleader for both the Verve and Warner Bros. Records record labels...
‘87.
External links
- http://www.berklee.edu/faculty/detail/dennis-montgomery-iii