My name is Gary E. Merritts, and I will be teaching Band this year at I.T. Creswell Middle School here in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

The following information is about my Education and Experience.

I attended Dupont High school in Metro, and graduated in 1971. I attended Tennessee Tech. University from 1972 -1976 graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. During the Summer of 1975 I played Saxophone, Clarinet, and Flute in the “I Hear America Singing” show at Opryland U.S.A. I worked in L.C.Tiller’s Music Store from June of 1976 – June of 1977 while I looked for a job as a band director. I was hired for the position of Assistant Band Director at Cheatham County High School in July of 1977. In the Fall of 1979, Harpeth Middle School opened up, and I began to teach there while continuing to assist at Cheatham County High School. In the Fall of 1984 Harpeth became a High School while adding a grade per year until their first graduating class in 1987. For the next 20 years I continued to teach both the Middle School Band, and the High School Marching Bands, Concert Bands, Woodwind Ensembles, and the Jazz Band. During my time at Harpeth High School we won Two Consecutive Division II (AA) State Championships in Marching Band in 2002 and 2003, we performed at the State Concert Festival Twice, and we had very successful Jazz Bands at both the Middle and High School Levels. I retired from the Cheatham County School system after 30 years of service, and have returned to Nashville Public Schools to offer my many years of experience to the school system. I look forward to serving the students and parents of I.T. Creswell Middle Arts Magnet School. I continue to play my Saxophone in the Nashville Wind Ensemble.

I was certified as “Highly Qualified” by Cheatham County Schools two years ago.

E-Mail address: Gary.Merritts@mnps.org

Telephone # 291-6515 ext. 1115

Planning Period: 8:00 – 8:50 A.M. Room 115