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Niko Morales is the Director of the Sounds of Freedom Military Concert Band. He is currently attending San José State University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Music Education where he is the Drum Major of the SJSU Spartan Marching Band and bass clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble.
In the past, Niko has performed in many Central Valley ensembles such as the Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland Honor Band, the Fresno-Madera County Music Educators Association (FMCMEA) Honor Band, and the California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of Central High School, his Wind Ensemble was considered to be one of the finest ensembles in the state of California. They were awarded several national honors, selected to perform at the California All-State Music Educators Conference (CASMEC), and selected to perform at the New York Wind Band Festival in Carnegie Hall receiving a rousing standing ovation.
Niko received his Associate's Degree from Fresno City College in 2023, in 2021, he was awarded the Dale Engstrom Excellence in Music Award, and in 2022, he won the annual FCC Conducting Competition. Niko also had the opportunity to conduct one of his arrangements with the Kingsburg City Band in the Summer of 2024.
Most recently, Niko had the honor of performing with the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra and the Livermore-Amador Symphony.
Monte C. Gmur
Monte C. Gmur
Director Emeritus
Director Emeritus
October 21, 1949 - February 9, 2025
October 21, 1949 - February 9, 2025
Monte Gmur became the Director of the Sounds of Freedom Military Concert Band in 2003. He served as a driving force in the promotion of a unique programming style that creates a concert experience that awakens curiosity, imagination, wonder, awareness, and appreciation of band music. Bands performing under his direction have been described as “Well Rehearsed” and “Grand”. A reporter for the Long Beach Press-Telegram once wrote that “He brings clarity, balance, and precision to the ensemble”.
A past president of the Youth Band Council of Southern California, founding member of the Pacific Coast Judges Association, and member of the prestigious National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Mr. Gmur contributed to the success of several television and motion picture projects; served as musical conductor for the Miss California Pageant; production consultant for The All-Western Band Review, Jerry Lewis’ Muscular Dystrophy Telecast, ARCO’s National Jesse Owens Games, and Disneyland.
Monte passed away on February 9, 2025, at the age of 75. His life was his music. He started his career as a musician in his teens. As he explained it, his high school band needed a tuba player and he was a big guy. He studied music, practiced hard, and expanded his mastery of instruments to include guitar, piano, organ, and pretty much any instrument he picked up. Soon, following in the footsteps of his uncles, Verus John “Babe” Gmur and Ralph Frederick “Fats” Gmur, Monte’s passion for music took flight. Over the years, Monte performed with Junipero Serra High School Band, the Torrance Youth Band, the El Camino Community College Band, the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band, the Red River Dutchmen, the Clovis Community Band, the Kingsburg City Band, and, most recently, with the World Adult Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria. Monte dedicated 55 years of his life to conducting and arranging music for the Our Lady of Guadalupe choir, St. Anthony High School Marching Saints, the Long Beach Junior Concert Band, the El Camino Community College Band, the South Gate City Youth Band, the Los Caballeros Youth Band, the Santa Ana Winds, and, the crown jewel of his long career, the Sounds of Freedom Band Military Concert Band.
Hollon O. Kinney
Hollon O. Kinney
Founder Emeritus
Founder Emeritus
September 26, 1918 - August 2, 2016
September 26, 1918 - August 2, 2016
Hollon Kinney was the founding member and first Director of the American Legion Post 509 Military Band, now Sounds of Freedom Military Concert Band. “There were about a dozen members then,” he recalled. “But we were like a family, and we still are” he added.
After graduating from Dos Palos Joint Union High School, Hollon entered military service with the United States Army Air Corps, serving in the European Theater during World War II. He often joked that his skills as a musician kept him out of the line of fire, though if pressed, he would humbly acknowledge having had more than a few close calls.
A proud World War II veteran and accomplished trumpeter, one of Hollon’s greatest honors was performing “Taps" in memory of fallen heroes; a role he carried out with reverence and pride.
Tony J. Lallo
Tony J. Lallo
Founder Emeritus
Founder Emeritus
May 16, 1922 - January 21, 2009
May 16, 1922 - January 21, 2009
Tony Lallo was long known as the “Music Man of the American Legion.” Following his service in the United States Army Air Force Band, he returned to civilian life to pursue a career in engineering, while continuing his lifelong passion for music.
Upon his discharge, Tony returned to civilian life and pursued his vocation, engineering. With his avocation being music, he organized a juvenile Drum and Bugle Corps, became a member of the Fresno Community Concert Band, joined the Army-Navy Bandsman Association, and became the business agent of the American Federation of Musicians.
Tony was also the founder of his own dance group, the Blue Room Orchestra, established in 1952 and still performing for ballroom dancing today. Throughout his life, he remained deeply involved in the musical and civic community, performing with the Fresno Community Band and contributing to organizations such as the American Federation of Musicians Local #12, the American Legion, the State Guard Association of the United States, and the Knights of Columbus.
In 1986, Tony brought together retired musicians and veterans, inviting them to dust off their instruments and play once again—turning a long-held vision into reality calling themselves the American Legion Post 509 Military Band. That group became the foundation of what is now known as the Sounds of Freedom Military Concert Band. Under his leadership, the ensemble quickly became a staple of patriotic concerts, American Legion events, memorial services, and community celebrations.
Today, the band continues to grow and remains in high demand, proudly carrying forward Tony’s legacy of service, musicianship, and community connection.
Mel Stratton
Mel Stratton
Associate Director Emeritus
Associate Director Emeritus
Mel Stratton served as the Associate Director and timpanist with the Sounds of Freedom Military Concert Band. He holds a BA in Performance Percussion and an MA in Music Education from CSU Hayward, and his distinguished career has spanned both the concert and marching worlds.
A true pioneer in the drum corps activity, Mel was a snare drummer with the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps in the 1960s. After his service in the United States Marine Corps, he returned to Concord, California and became one of the corps’ first instructors when it officially formed in 1971. Still in his 20s, he brought a bold creative vision that helped shape the early identity of the Blue Devils, pushing the boundaries of marching and maneuvering through innovative drill and staging techniques that enhanced musical impact without sacrificing performance quality which played a major role in the corps’ rapid rise, culminating in their first championship in 1976 and helping establish a standard of excellence that continues today. Mel later founded the California Dons Drum and Bugle Corps in 1984.
As a performer, he has appeared as a soloist with the Indianapolis Community Band, the Lamorinda Community Band, and the United States Marine Corps Band. Mel has served as Director of Bands at the University of New Mexico, Washington Union High School, Lawrence Central High School, James Logan High School, and Clovis High School, leaving a lasting impact on generations of performers.
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