Arthur A. Miller III, an Humble ISD band director for 27-years, was honored with an original musical composition performed by the Texas Music Educators Association Region 19 All Region Middle School Symphonic Band. The band performed Full Throttle on Miller’s birthday, Nov.7, at 5:30 p.m. at Porter High School. Miller passed away in 2014 and the composition honors his legacy.
Miller began as the music director at Atascosita Middle School in 1985. Later, he was the first band director hired at Timberwood Middle School when it opened in 1998. He passed away on July 27, 2014, in his hometown of Jasper, TX. He was born on November 7, 1958, to Arthur A. and Isla B. Miller. He attended school in Jasper and graduated from Jasper High School in 1977, Sam Houston State University with a degree in Music in 1981, and an M.B.A. in 1983.
“Full Throttle was written by a well-known band composer, Robert W. Smith, and we are excited to honor Arthur at our concert,” said Creekwood Middle School Band Director, Missy
A collage presented to Arthur A. Millers family commemorating his 27 years of service.
DeSpain Allen, who also serves as the TMEA Region 19 Chairman.
TMEA is an organization of over 10,000 school music educators dedicated to promoting excellence in music education. For the purpose of UIL state and regional music competitions, the state is divided into 28 geographical regions in regard to population and travel. Humble ISD is in Region 19, which includes 48 area middle schools.
A memorial service was held on July 30, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Jasper. By Miller’s request, any gifts in his memory should be made to the Timberwood Middle School Band, 18450 Timber Forest Dr., Humble, Texas 77346.
Someone who attended the concert, wrote the following letter to composer Robert W. Smith:
Arthur A. Millers family attending the concert in his honor.
Robert: Melissa Allen, who heads up the TMEA Region 19 North and was Grayson’s middle school band director, and other music educators involved in the Regional competition asked if I would forward the photos of Arthur A. Miller’s family from the performance last night as well as the material they put together for the program. From what Missy has said, Arthur was a beloved peer to many Texas music educators and during his 27 years as a music educator touched the lives of thousands of students before he passed away. It was obvious watching them speak about Arthur last night and why your piece was so perfect as a dedication to him was very touching. I know they were super excited to have you write a piece for our region from the start but the symbiosis of the piece and honoring their friend was very emotional and just really beautiful to see. I really did love the piece – and gauging from the audience reaction I was certainly not alone.
Arthur A. Miller was a man who worked as hard as he could every day, and was described as being wide open for 27 years. So Robert W. Smith composed this piece for Arthur and all band directors who go Full Throttle every day.
To listen to Full Throttle click here.
