Dr. John Maloy Long passed away on February 24, 2020 at the age of 94, leaving behind his wife of 69 years Mary Lynn, daughter Deborra, son John, Jr., and many others. Dr. Long said he want to be remembered as a teacher who made a difference. It is safe to say he accomplished this, as well as so much more.
A native of Guntersville, Dr. Long received his bachelor’s degree at Jacksonville State University, a master’s degree at the University of Alabama and an honorary doctorate from Jacksonville State. He served in the U.S. Army as a bandsman in World War II, serving in Iraq, Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East.
Dr. Long directed several high school bands in the state of Alabama, the last being Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, one of the most decorated high school bands in the country. In 1965, Dr. Long was hired as the director of bands for what is now Troy University. He served as director of bands from 1965 – 1996, and after retirement continued to serve the University as Director of Bands Emeritus and Professor of Music Emeritus.
Along with his immense accomplishments in shaping the lives of his students and others at Troy University, Dr. Long was also a past president of the American Bandmasters Association , member of the National Band Association’s Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors, and the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame. In 2010, he was named honorary president of the National Band Association and in 2012 he was elected Honorary Life Member of the American Bandmasters Association.