ÑÇÖÞÉ«Çé

Biography

Dr. Monte Grisé serves as the Director of Bands at ÑÇÖÞÉ«Çé. In addition to managing the band program, he teaches instrumental conducting and music education courses. Before joining the faculty at ÑÇÖÞÉ«Çé, Dr. Grisé was the Fine Arts Director for the Missoula County Public Schools in Missoula, Montana, where he supervised all K-12 visual and performing arts throughout the district. 

Prior to coming to Missoula, Dr. Grisé served as the Director of Bands, Professor of Music, and Chair of the School of Performing Arts at Minnesota State University Moorhead. At MSUM, he conducted the Wind Symphony, Chamber Winds, and Pep Band, as well as taught courses in conducting, and secondary instrumental methods. He was also the Applied Saxophone Instructor as well as the Music Education Coordinator. During his tenure at MSUM, he also held the position of Conductor and Music Director of the Lake Agassiz Concert Band, in the Fargo/Moorhead area. 

Dr. Grisé began his teaching career as the 5-12 Band and Choir Director in Manhattan, Montana. After completing his Master’s Degree in Music at Oklahoma State University, he returned to Montana to take the position of Director of Bands at Capital High School in Helena. He then took the position of Associate Director of Bands at Idaho State University where he would direct the Bengal Marching Band, concert band, jazz band, and taught Applied Saxophone. He was offered a teaching assistantship at James Madison University, where he completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree.

Dr. Grisé was recognized as a Distinguished Educator by the Helena Education Foundation, and was awarded the Excellence in Service to the Community award presented by the President of MSUM, and was promoted to Full Professor in 2020. An advocate for lifelong music making, Dr. Grisé continues to enjoy working with and conducting community ensembles, and teaches and conducts every summer at the International Music Camp.