Freebury to direct band for first time in nearly three decades

By Jack Long

The last time FHS science teacher Gary Freebury directed a band concert, LBJ was president, The Beatles were in full swing, and the U.S. was at war in Vietnam.

It was 1967. 

Now, 31 years later, Freebury is back to direct one last band concer at the Spring band concert  May 19.

 Freebury received a B.A. in music education while at Eastern Montana college along with a degree in sciences. In 1967,  young Freebury was the director of the Flathead High band. During his last year as the band director, Freebury taught not only band, but headed up the Fine Arts department, taught a harmony class and two chemistry classes. In 1968, Freebury left the fine arts department to concentrate solely on teaching science classes. He is now a nationally recognized chemistry teacher. A recent request from current band director, Allen Slater, is putting him back at the helm.

“I thought it would be a neat thing to do,” said Slater. “This is his last year and I thought it would be appropriate for it to come full circle.”

Freebury will direct the Symphonic Band through a song entitled, “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral,” a tune that Freebury directed during the ‘60s. The directing and practicing of the song will be solely up to Freebury. 

“Music is a field I enjoyed,” said Freebury. “I still enjoy it.”

Despite limited practices so far, Slater says he will have no involvement with Freebury’s directing.

“I wouldn’t want to impose on what he’s doing,” said Slater. “He certainly knows what he’s doing.” 

According to Slater, band students are excited about Freebury’s direction. Many of the students will have had him in his other field of expertise. Senior oboist Steve Satterly had Freebury as a organic chemistry teacher and will now have him as a director for a piece in which he has a solo on the oboe.

“I think it will be pretty interesting,” said Satterly. “He has all those majors — he’s just an amazing guy.”

Despite Freebury’s popularity and the great interest in the event, many students were surprised to find that Freebury once headed up the fine arts department and directed the band.

“I wasn’t aware of this before Mr. Slater informed us,” said junior Tim Wood. “(Freebury) has a great amount of knowledge in many vast areas.”

Freebury’s last stint directing will be Extra-Snazzy.

“I think some students think that teachers are only skilled in one field,” said Slater. “Many of them have a wide range of skill.”

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