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Fred and Marlene Miller
Fred and Marlene Miller

Role(s):

Hall of Fame

Specialties:

Affiliations:

Fred J. Miller and Marlene Miller’s Fred J. Miller, Inc. is a leader in pageantry uniform design and manufacturing, outfitting many of the world’s best marching bands, drum corps and winter guards.

A Dayton native, Fred J. Miller was drum major of the band while at Chaminade High School and at University of Dayton. He met his future wife Marlene at a summer camp for baton twirlers and drum majors. After two years in the U.S. Army, Fred became director of bands at Fairborn, Ohio, High School.

A master showman, Fred hosted band festivals and competitions, was co-founder and first president of the United States Twirling Association in 1958, founded the Ohio Color Guard Circuit and inducted into the Winter Guard International Hall of Fame. Fred developed the Miller’s Blackhawks Musical Corps, which evolved into the Miller’s Blackhawks, co-directed by Fred and Marlene. It entered the winter guard world to become one of the most revered groups of the 1980s and 90s.

The creation of FJM allowed Fred to apply his eye for showmanship to marching uniform design and costume production, with Marlene designing flags and color guard outfits.

For their contributions to music education Miller Family was recognized as the Texas Bandmasters Association 2013 Music Industry Award winner. 11 of the 12 2013 Bands of America Grand National Finalists wore FJM uniforms, as well as 7 of the 12 2013 DCI Finalists.

Fred and Marlene were married for 53 years. Fred was 80 when he died August 3, 2012. FJM remains a family enterprise, Marlene is President and CEO, and twin sons Mark and Mike Miller, daughter Mary Lynn Dorow and grandson Andy Dorow all part of the family business. The impact of the Miller Family and Fred’s legacy continue through their industry leadership, college scholarships and their support of music education.