Robert C. Freeman -Director of Bands

Robert is a native of West Monroe, LA and a 1985 graduate of West Monroe High School. He received the Bachelor of Music Education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA and the Master of Music in Euphonium Music Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Low Brass Performance and Pedagogy from USM. He has held positions as Brass Professor at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, MS and Director of Bands at North Forrest High School in Hattiesburg, MS.

Robert's bands have consistently garnered superior ratings in marching, concert and sight-reading. His students have placed highly in regional, state and national performance competitions. His professional affiliations include, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, LMEA and the District I Band Directors Association.

Robert and his wife Vicki, reside in West Monroe and have two daughters.

Francis C. Saunders- Associate Director of Bands

Frank is a native of Pineville, LA and a 1989 graduate of Pineville High School. He received his B.M.E. from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. He has served as percussion instruction for the Northwestern State Summer Music Camps since 1992. Other positions Frank has held include Assistant Director of Bands at Mesquite High School in Mesquite, TX, as well as Director of Bands at Natchitoches Central High School in Natchitoches, LA.

In 1994, Frank was awarded the McNeely Scholarship from Northwestern State University. Frank is active as an adjudicator and clinician through the Louisiana - Texas region. His professional affiliations include Kappa Kappa Psi, LMEA, Percussive Arts Society, and the Company of Fifers and Drummers.

Dr. Michael D. Spears- Associate Director of Bands

Dr. Michael Spears is formerly Director of Bands at West Monroe High School, a position he held from 1966 to 1999. Prior to coming to West Monroe, Dr. Spears taught in Shreveport, LA, at Lakeshore Junior High School and in Lake Charles, LA at LaGrange Senior High School. He presently holds the position of Associate Director of Bands at West Monroe High School; Choir Director, First Baptist Church of Calhoun; Orchestra Director, First Baptist Church of West Monroe; and Assistant Conductor of the Twin Cities Concert Band.

During his tenure at West Monroe, Dr. Spears led the band to an impressive record of First Division performances at the district, state and national levels. The bands have been acclaimed as outstanding in both marching and concert performance. Dr. Spears is very active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout Louisiana and the surrounding states. His professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, Phi Delta Kappa, MENC, LEA and NBA.

In 1975, 1981, and 1992, Dr. Spears was awarded the "Outstanding Bandmaster" award for the State of Louisiana by Phi Beta Mu Fraternity. He received the "MAC" award in 1976, He was awarded "outstanding Bandmaster" for Louisiana in 1981 by the Louisiana Bandmasters Association and received the Bandworld Magazine "Legion of Honor" award in 1991.

Michael and Susan Spears live in West Monroe, LA, and have two children, Michelle and Jonathan, and one grandson, Michael Jack.