| Gary Buttery
received his early musical training in the Omaha Metropolitan area. He
has studied with such noted artists as Roger Bobo, Don Harry,
Gene Pokorny, Jack Robinson, and Dan Perantoni. He earned his Bachelor
and Master of Music degrees in tuba and in music theory/composition
from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to settling in
Connecticut, he performed with the Long Beach Symphony, the San Carlo Opera
Company,
and was on the faculty of Pepperdine University.
Gary recently retired as principal tubist in the United States
Coast Guard, the premiere band of the Coast guard, based in New
London, CT. He was also a member of the Atlantic Tuba Quartet, a
different Village, performing international folk music, and Finest
Kind, a unique combination of Mandolin, Tuba, and other "folk" instruments.
He also taught at the University of Rhode Island and at Connecticut
College, and has performed locally with the Paul Winter Consort
and the Morgans. Gary has had numerous new works for tuba written
for him, including Roger Kellaway's Arcades I for Tuba and Piano,
George Heussenstamm's Dialogues for Alto Saxophone and Tuba, Allen
Blank's Divertimento for Tuba and Band, Richard Penner's Sharing,
Boston composer Frank Warren's Seven Duets for Tubassoon, and Vaclav
Nelhybel's Concerto for Tuba. Gary has performed throughout the
United States as a soloist and clinician, and has the distinction
of being the first tuba soloist featured with the NBC Orchestra
on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show.
In 1990, Gary began a traditional Jazz Band at the University of
Rhode Island concentrating on American jazz and dance music from
the early part of this century. His success in beginning and directing
this program has led to its inclusion as a permanent part of the
jazz band curriculum at URI. In 1992, he became director of the
newly formed Connecticut College Concert Band. Besides these directorships,
Gary has conducted the Stonington High School Jazz Band, the yearly
edition of Connecticut Tuba Christmas Ensemble, and has led as well
as arranged for numerous small ensembles throughout the state.
Gary has been involved with band programs for a long time. He has
been with the Coast Gaurd Band for over 20 years and the Long Beach
Band prior to this for two years. He had formal conducting training
in both his Bachelors and Masters work at the University of Northern
Colorado under band director Wayman Walker and orchestra director
Dr. Howard Skinner.
1992 brought some unique performing opportunities for Gary. In
January, he performed Vaclav Nelhybel's Concerto for Tuba in a concert
with the United States Army Band in Washington, D.C. March brought
a solo performance with the American Band of Providence, recording
sessions with A Different village and the New Vaudeville Revue,
and a special concert backing the indescribable Tiny Tim. Gary also
traveled to the International Tuba Symposium held at the University
of Kentucky, where he was a featured soloist and clinician. He was
the featured soloist with the Nebraska Wind Symphony and gave a
master class at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and presented
a recital at Chandron State College. In 1995, Gary was a featured
soloist and clinician at the 2nd Arizona Low Brass Festival in Tucson.
View music by Gary Buttery
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