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Director of Bands at Freeland Schools retires after 34 years

Bill Shephard will be retiring at the end of this school year, after serving as the Director of Bands at Freeland Community Schools since 1976, molding young musical talent for the last 34 years. In celebration of his many years of commitment to the students and school, a Freeland High School Band concert was held in the auditorium on Tuesday, May 11. The Freeland Middle School Band also held a concert on May 18, the last time those students performed under the direction of Shephard.

The community further honored Shephard by hosting an open house called “One Big Happy Family Reunion,” Sunday, May 23. Shephard is known to have always encouraged the students to work together and support each other by telling them that they are all One Big Happy Family. Current and past students, their families, colleagues, and community members were welcome to stop by and share refreshments, and their memories with Shephard. Band students were in the auditorium giving a complementary performance as part of the celebration.

Former student Dennis Argyle played the trumpet beginning in the 6th grade, from 1982 to 1989. His daughter, Victoria, who is in 7th grade, now plays the same trumpet. “Bill Shephard’s devotion and dedication is amazing,” said Argyle. “He had a knack for taking a student with no musical talent whatsoever, turning them into a successful player of an instrument.”

Argyle and others got together to see what they could do to help disadvantaged students acquire instruments, take special lessons, or attend institutions such as the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. They formed the William E. Shephard Band Scholarship. Donations can currently be made by check, and sent to the Freeland High School, 8250 Webster Rd., in the name of the scholarship.

Along with directing the Symphonic Band to First Division Ratings at Band Festival for over 30 years consecutively, Shephard has received numerous honors over the span of his career at Freeland. These include the Freeland Community School District’s Employee Excellence Award in 1994, the Saginaw News Crystal Apple Award in 1996 & 2006, Central Michigan University’s Excellence in Education in 2000, and the Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association’s Director of the Year in 2001. He was also inducted into the American School Band Directors Association in 1996 for outstanding work in music education (national recognition), and served as a mentor to hundreds of directors across the Midwest.

Steve Shaw will be taking over as Director of Bands in the fall.

For more information about the Freeland Community School District, visit their website at http://www.freeland.k12.mi.us.

Freeland Band Director Bill Shephard
Retiring Freeland Community Schools Band Director Bill Shephard (left) shakes hands with Freeland school district Superintendent Matt Cairey (right), during the “One Big Happy Family Reunion” open house, Sunday May 23.

 

 

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