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History of Directors

Liberty High School has had a long storied history of directors over the years.
This page shows the past and current High School Band Directors.
This is a work in progress

Mr. Herbert Schroeder 1940 - 1964

Herbert Schroeder was born May 9, 1897 in Belleville, IL and moved to Youngstown. He taught band and choir at Liberty High school for 24 years, retiring in 1964. Under his baton, Liberty High band students were exposed to performances and accomplishments around the Township such as:

-"Home Day" parade/festivities (est 1895), celebrating Ohio's sesquicentennial;

- Trumbull County Sing and All-County Band;

-Liberty Memorial Day services; Glee Club sings, band played service and parade;

-Baccalaureate with the Glee Club;

-Band Exchange concert with Jackson Milton (1958);

- Dad's Night and Armistice Day (1943);

- State band contest at Kent (1942);

- Kent State halftime performance (1958)

Prior to working with Liberty, Schroeder had worked with Ursuline's orchestra, debuting their band November 1939. He was also a violist that performed with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Schroeder directed the American Legion Post Band as well as the Dome Theater Orchestra for twelve years. He played with the Canton Symphony, and also worked with a group titled the "Trumbull Grange Band." After retirement in 1964, Herbert moved to Florida and passed away in May 1979.

For a look at newspaper articles and images of Mr. Schroeder, click here.

Mr. Robert Miller 1964 -1969

Mr. Robert Miller was born September 23, 1932 in Warren, OH and is a graduate of Niles McKinley. He started teaching at Liberty High School after Mr. Schroeder retired in 1964. During his tenure at Liberty, the school band participated in the following events:

- annual band concerts

- featured with the W.D. Packard Band (1967)

- Niles Halloween Parade - in Division 4 of parade

- Memorial Day services Churchill

Mr. Miller didn't originally start his career in Liberty. His first school was North Bloomfield in 1953. Went to Niles in 1955. Garfield from 1957-1959. He then made the jump to Western Reserve from 1959-1964, then ended up returning to WR to then fully retire from there in May 1985. Bob was a member of the W.D. Packard Concert Band playing in their first concert in September 1955. He played in the band for over 30 years. He was also a member of the Top Notes Dance Band and played in many musician's union concert bands. He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Niles, where he sang in and later directed the choir. Mr. Miller passed Oct 28, 2022.

For newspaper articles and images, click here.

Mr. Joseph Purser 1970 -1991

Mr. George Bonamase 1991 - 1992

Mr. Raymond Vitullo 1992 - 1997

Mr. Thomas Ruggieri 1997-1999

Mr. Michael Summers 1999 - 2025

Ms. Gabriella Sandy 2025 - Present

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