The band directors teach fifth and sixth grade band at Freedom Intermediate School, and seventh and eighth grade band at Freedom Middle School. In 2011-12, Mr. Garey (along Ms. Fuller, the choir director) teaches a semester-long beginning guitar class in the related arts rotation at FMS. Ms. Grooms teaches the FMS seventh and eighth grade string ensemble. The directors’ primary office is located in the Freedom Middle School band room.

Mark Garey has been a band director in the Franklin Special School District since 1984, currently in his 28th year in 2010-2011. He is a native of Savannah, TN and attended Middle Tennessee State University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education as a trumpet major. He also holds a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision and the Educational Specialist’s degree in Administration from MTSU.

Outside of Freedom activities, Mr. Garey is currently assistant director of the Music City Drum Corp. He was assistant marching band director at Centennial High School from 1996 to 2011, and assistant marching band director at Franklin High School from 1984 to 1996. He is a member of Williamson County Band Director’s Association, Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (past president, 2005-2007), Tennessee Music Educators Association, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, American School Band Directors’ Association, Music Educators National Conference, and Phi Beta Mu.

School phone: 615-472-3544; email: gareymar@fssd.org

Carole Smith Grooms is a native of Winchester, TN. She attended Tennessee Technological University as a music major with piano emphasis, earning the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. She holds a Master of Arts in Music from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. 2011-2012 will begin Ms. Grooms’ 28th year of teaching. Prior to employment in the Franklin Special School District in 1990, she was band director at Moore County High School, in Lynchburg, TN, and music teacher at Harris Middle School, in Shelbyville, TN. She also served as an assistant director to the Franklin High School Marching Band, 1990-1995.

Ms. Grooms is a member of Williamson County Band Director’s Association, Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (serving as President 2011-2013), Tennessee Music Educators Association, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, American School Band Directors Association (currently Southeast Region V Representative to the Natioal Executive Board 2010-2013), Music Educators National Conference, and Phi Beta Mu fraternity. She is also a member of the educational advisory committee to the Nashville Jazz Orchestra. Ms. Grooms currently performs with the Nashville Wind Ensemble on flute. In the past, she performed as a member of the Nashville Flute Ensemble, Tennessee Valley Winds (Murfreesboro Community Band), and the Nashville Symphony Chorus and Chamber Chorus.

School Phone: 615-472-3546; email: groomscar@fssd.org