Colby Eagles Alumni Association
Noel Collins
Copyright Colby Eagles Alumni Association @ 2014
Nominated by Sarah Jane Munday Barrett, Class of 1961
When Noel Collins sent in his first data for "High-Flying Eagle" recognition, it was a five-page document, having been extracted from his fourteen-page resume. When asked to condense it even more, he responded with a one-page outline of his multi-faceted career.
Of his professional activities, he listed playing his trumpet in many and varied bands and orchestras, including a Glenn Miller revival band, Billings Symphony Orchestra, Holiday on Ice Orchestra, Shriner's Circus Band, Community Concert bands, and his own NC Jazztet and Billings Studio Orchestra. He has conducted show bands for a number of celebrity artists; among them, Bobby Vinton, George Gobel, Phyllis Diller, Shani Wallis, Lyle Waggoner, and Ed Ames. He has been music director and conductor for several major musical theater productions including Man of La Mancha, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hello Dolly, Damn Yankees, Sound of Music, and West Side Story.
Noel has arranged and orchestrated dozens of songs for jazz bands, orchestras, swing choirs, church choirs, and such activities as the Miss Montana Pageant. His original compositions include Mach: One, a 15-minute jazz suite; Spirit of the Tetons, a 20-minute work for symphonic band; Evol, a 35-minute one-act opera; and Be Filled with the Spirit, a 10-minute gospel piece for choir and brass ensemble.
Aside from his profession activities, Noel Collins emphasized that his primary focus has always been on music education. During his sixty-five years in the practices and disciplines of developing music, he has taught in ipublic and private grade schools, high schools and colleges in Montana, Wyoming, and California. He states that his most profound accomplishments have been while touching the lives of hundreds of students while helping them forge positive directions for their futures. In addition to regular classroom rigor, concerts and field shows are the special activities, such as being chosen to take his Tri-County honor band to the Expo '74 World's Fair in Spokane, Washington, and performing on the International Stage. And being chosen to book his trophy winning drum line to back up Shania Twain at the Hollywood Bowl. And co-directing the 350 student Los Angeles All-City Honor Band that marches in the Pasadena Rose Parade every year. Several of his students have developed careers in music education and professional performance as a result of his guidance. Recently, one of those highly motivated young men called him and asked, "Mr. Collins, what would you like to have recognized as your legacy?" Noel replied, "That's easy, Danny. I would like my legacy to be you, and Joe, and John, and Joni, and Steve, and Fonzy, and Evilyn, and Charlie, and any other of my students that I've influenced as their teacher and mentor."
Noel has been retired for several years now but is still keeping his hand in with charity work. Such includes producing and directing an annual musical variety show through his church that raises several thousand dollars a year for their Advanced Education Scholarship Fund. Thus far, this activity has garnered over $30,000, and twenty-one students have received $1,000 grants to help with their college or trade school expenses. There are currently seven more students in line to receive grants. Noel concluded this narrative with stating, "If the committee determines that I am qualified for the award, I will be very proud to be considered as a High-Flying Eagle."
