John and Della May Freytag
Autobiography Précis

I was born in the German Village section of Columbus, Ohio. At age ten, I started on the adventure of learning to play the cornet and trumpet. I studied first with Professor Wilbur Crist of Capital University who had been cornetist in the Armco Concert Band, directed by Frank Simon. I then studied with Frank Todhunter, a former trumpeter in the U. S. Marine Band, Washington, DC, conducted by John Philip Sousa.       During my senior year at South High School, Columbus, I joined the 112th Medical Regiment Band, 34th Division, Ohio National Guard, and played in the first cornet section. After graduating from high school, I enrolled in the United States Navy School of Music, Washington, DC, and then returned to Columbus to rejoin the 112th medical Regiment Band. I also became a full time music student at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, majoring in public school music.       It was here that I met my future wife, Della May Mason, whose home was in Zanesville, Ohio. She was a transfer student from Judson College in Alabama. She, too, was a music student with a major in violin and viola.       In the fall of 1940, the Ohio National Guard was federalized and sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. There I became the assistant conductor of the band as well as solo trumpet player. After World War II was declared in December 1941, the band was sent to San Francisco to become the San Francisco Port of Embarkation and Debarkation Band. We played for most troop ships leaving and returning to San Francisco, for many concerts, U.S.O. dances, ship launchings, parades, Voice of America broadcasts, hospitals, and for many other military functions. On my off-duty hours, I was also active in the Service Men's and Women's Symphony Orchestra of the Bay Area.       I was very fortunate and pleased to have met the conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux, with whom I studied conducting privately. This was a truly great experience to study with a world renown conductor, one who was a friend of Debussy, Ravel, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, et al.       In 1943 I came back to Ohio on furlough and married Della May. After a short but wonderful honeymoon, I returned to San Francisco, along with Della May. She gave up her school music job in Ohio to be with me for the duration of the war. While in San Francisco, our twin daughters, Martha and Melinda, were born in the Dante Hospital, Presidio Army Hospital.       Being in San Francisco during these years was exciting and history making. In the spring of 1945, our band had the honor of playing for the beginning of the United Nations Organization, playing for all representatives of the U. N. and for President Truman. Also, while there, I studied trumpet with Victor Kress and L. Klodskin of the San Francisco Symphony and the Golden Gate Concert Band.       After returning to Columbus in 1946, I became a member of the Columbus Symphony, conducted by Izler Solomon. I remained within this organization for three seasons in the trumpet section. I also taught at the Capital University Conservatory of Music for six years teaching brass instruments, brass ensembles, and directing the marching band. During these busy years before Oak Harbor, I also taught instrumental music part-time at Dublin, Ohio, High School; was director of the Franklin County 4-H Band; played in the Columbus Federation Band; and played casual jobs such as Ice Follies, musicals, and dances.       In 1952, I accepted the position as music teacher in the Salem-Oak Harbor School system, teaching vocal, instrumental, and general music in Grades 5 - 12. This included 4th grade pre-band and orchestra students. After several years, I was appointed to the position of Director of Music and was also inducted into the American School Band Directors Association at their annual national meeting. During these years, I had the pleasure of seeing the Music Department increase and expand rapidly. This included the addition of very capable staff to the department. We also saw the need for much needed space. Through the efforts of our school administration, board, staff, parents, and community, this became a reality with the construction of a new music building.       I was very proud of our school and our musical groups. The dedication and hard work of the students was outstanding! For six straight years, the Senior Band earned a unanimous I-rating at the state band competitions, a record to be proud of. We are so happy that our daughters received their education from this fine school system.       While we lived in Oak Harbor, Della May and I played in the Fremont Symphony Orchestra, as did some of our Oak Harbor instrumental music students.       In 1967, I resigned my position in Oak Harbor, and we moved to Toledo, Ohio, where Della May and I became lay ministers at Salem Lutheran Church. After three years in Toledo, I joined the music staff of the Medina City Schools, teaching instrumental music, both band and orchestral, in Grade Levels 4 - 12. After eleven years in Medina, I retired.       We built a small house in the Mohican Forest area, south of Loudenville, Ohio, and enjoyed our mountain home for nine years. After this, we moved to our present address in Wooster, Ohio. While I continued to tune a few pianos and work on some woodworking projects, Della May played viola in the Wooster Symphony Orchestra for five years.       We have many fond memories of Oak Harbor with its many fine students and friends. It is a wonderful community and a great place to live.