Melanie Donart Hadderton served 34 years as band director
Melanie (Donart) Hadderton retired in 2020 after 34 years of band directing. She began her career in 1986 at Wichita Falls High School and finished her decorated career at Holliday ISD. Hadderton earned her bachelor’s degree from MSU Texas in 1984.
While at WFHS, her bands consistently made top ratings at UIL events and festivals. The marching band qualified for the UIL Area Marching Contest four times and the band earned sweepstake awards seven of her nine years.
During her 15 years in Holliday, the band earned 15 years of sweepstake awards, advanced to the UIL State Marching Contest eight times (made finals six times, medaled three times), ranked in the top five concert bands in the state twice, and had multiple concert pieces advance to the state level in the Outstanding Performance Series competition with five performances earning top three placements (two at first). The Holliday High School band program grew from 35 students on the roll in 2005 to 165 students on the roll at the time of her retirement.
Hadderston’s professional memberships include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Association of Texas Small School Bands. In 2014 she was inducted into the international honorary fraternity Phi Beta Mu. In addition, MSU Texas recognized Hadderton as the Outstanding Cooperating teacher in 2020.