Russell Boone, former band director and faculty member at Mississippi Valley State University, died on September 11 in Maryland Heights, Missouri. He was 99 years old.
Boone was a graduate of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he majored in music education. He held a master’s degree from the University of Missouri.
In 1960, Boone was appointed director of university bands at Mississippi Valley State University. During his tenure, the band was the first ensemble from a historically Black college or university to play in the Rose Bowl parade. The band also played in the inaugural parade for President Richard Nixon in 1969.
Boone served as band director until 1972. He then served as chair of the department of fine arts until 1981. Boone remained on the university’s faculty until his retirement in 1987.
A street on the campus of Mississippi Valley State University is named in his honor.
