Ms. Naomi Almany

This Scholarship was endowed in memory of Hubert A. “Butch” Almany by his wife of 46 years, Naomi. Almany grew up in Nacogdoches, graduating from high school in 1960, and attended SFA, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in music in 1965 and a Master of Education in 1968.

Almany was instrumental in establishing the National Association of Military Marching Bands, and, for more than 30 years, taught music and led bands to competitions all across the nation. Under his directorship, Lindale ISD received UIL Sweepstakes Awards from 1975 to 1995, as well as Region Texas Music Educators Association Honors from 1978 to 1995. Additionally, the Lindale band finished in the top three in the State Honor Band competition in 1986, 1988 and 1990. Almany and the Lindale Marching Band also had the privilege of leading the Texas Inaugural Parade for former Gov. George W. Bush in 1995.

At SFA, he served as president of the Band Alumni Association; was inducted into the Band Directors Hall of Fame in 1988; received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1990; and, in 1993, received the Outstanding Music Alumnus Award. He also received the Lifetime Meritorious Achievement Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association in 2002; was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Band Directors Hall of Fame in 2008; and was selected as the 2009 TBA Texas Bandmaster of the Year.

According to Naomi, his most cherished honor occurred in 1986 when the newly constructed band hall for Lindale High School was named in his honor – the Hubert A. Almany Band Hall.

Almany retired in 1995 but remained active in the music profession by volunteering with band programs, conducting band clinics and judging contests. He was honored in 2012, posthumously, with an induction into the Crockett Ring of Honor. Furthermore, the National Association of Band Directors established a NAMMB Band Director Hall of Fame in 2013, naming Almany as its first inductee.