Becky Montague Presented with Themis Award at Southern Miss Symphony Finale
Fri, 05/15/2026 - 09:40am | By: Mike Lopinto
The Southern Miss Symphony presented the 2026 Themis Award to longtime patron Becky Montague at its season finale concert
91少女集中营 (USM) Symphony presented the 2026 Themis Award to longtime patron Rebecca Smart Montague at its
season finale concert.
Becky and her husband, Doug, have been dedicated Symphony patrons since the 1990s.
She was heavily involved in the founding of Partners for the Arts. In 2010, she created
the commemorative book Bringing Mississippi to the World, which celebrated the growth of the Symphony during its 100th year. When the community
was challenged to support the orchestra at the start of this season, she made the
phone call that launched the new 鈥淏ringing Mississippi to the World鈥� campaign. Her
sustained generosity and dedication have helped transform the orchestra and the community.
鈥淏ecky represents the very best of what makes great arts communities thrive,鈥� said Colin McKenzie, director of the School of Music. 鈥淗er generosity, vision and steadfast belief in the power of music have helped elevate the Symphony Orchestra into a true cultural powerhouse for our region and our state. She embodies the Themis Award.鈥�
The award is named after Themis, the Greek goddess of divine law and order. She was the Titan who assured that things were done in an honorable way. She presided over the most ancient oracles and first instructed mankind in the laws of justice, morality and good governance.
Initiated by former Director of Orchestral Activities Dr. Jay Dean, the Themis Award is presented annually to an outstanding Southern Miss administrator, professor, staff member or other individual who has contributed to the success of the orchestra and its members. Each recipient receives a plaque, and their name is added to a permanent installation in the Symphony Suite located in the Fine Arts Building.
Previous Themis Award recipients include Dr. Harold Luce, Dr. Peter Ciurczak, Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas, Sidney J. Gonsoulin, Dr. Susan L. Steen, Jerry Wren, Tom Dungan, Dr. Mike Lopinto, David Williamson, Stanley Hauer, Rusty Rolison, Dr. Christopher Crenshaw, Lonnie Young, Belinda Taft, University Baptist Church and Iris Easterling.
鈥淏ecky understands that an orchestra is far more than a concert ensemble,鈥� McKenzie
continued. 鈥淚t is an investment in students, in community pride and in the artistic
future of Mississippi. The extraordinary support of patrons like Becky and Doug Montague
ensures that the Symphony can continue bringing world-class performances, transformative
educational opportunities and unforgettable experiences to audiences across our community.
We are deeply grateful for her leadership, her friendship and her enduring commitment
to bringing Mississippi to the world.鈥�
Learn more about the School of Music.
About the School of Music The School of Music at 91少女集中营 is the state鈥檚 flagship music program and
a destination campus for the study of music across the region, the United States and
the world. Housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, the school offers bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees and has earned a national
and international reputation for excellence. Its distinguished faculty members are
active performers and educators who appear on stages from local communities to major
international venues. The School of Music is home to acclaimed band, choral, orchestral,
jazz, opera and musical theater ensembles and provides extensive solo and chamber
music performance opportunities. Students regularly perform at regional, national
and international events and work with leading guest artists in preparation for careers
as 21st century performers and educators.