Memorial Is Friday for Saddleback Music Director LaBonte

A memorial service for Monte C. LaBonte, instrumental music director at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, will be held Friday in the school’s McKinney Theatre.

LaBonte died Sunday at UCLA Medical Center. He was 59.

A longtime Laguna Hills resident, LaBonte joined the Saddleback faculty in 1969 and led development of the music department’s curriculum.

He was president of the college’s academic senate in 1974-75 and served as dean of the college’s Fine Arts and Communications Division from 1976 to 1983 before returning to teaching.

As dean, LaBonte oversaw the design and construction of the college’s 55,000-square-foot fine arts complex. One of his proudest moments came when he appeared as the padre in “Man of La Mancha,” the first production staged in the 400-seat McKinney Theatre.

LaBonte was an organizing founder of the Music Assn. of California Community Colleges and served as its president from 1984-86. He was an advocate of arts education and testified many times before state legislative committees on matters pertaining to the community college curriculum.

In recent years, LaBonte was recognized for his innovative teaching methods, including the incorporation of computer and CD-ROM technology into the music and arts curriculum. He also taught music courses via the campus radio station, KSBR-FM.

LaBonte received his master’s degree in music from Cal State Long Beach and was director of instrumental and vocal music at Norwalk High School before coming to Saddleback.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; sons Greg, Chris and Mark; daughter Leigh Ann and six grandchildren. A private funeral will be held.

The memorial service will be from 3 to 5 p.m.