The Freedom High School Band
The Freedom High School Band is a comprehensive music program which includes over 200 students in grades 9 through 12. Course offerings include three concerts bands, three jazz bands, percussion, chamber ensembles, and eurhythmics (Color Guard). During the fall, all students are a part of the marching band, the Pride of the Patriots.
The bands at Freedom consistently earn “Superior” ratings at all district and state music performances assessments (MPA) and has a high level of participation in Solo and Ensemble events as well as representation in all-county, all-state, and other honor bands. Freedom bands perform actively throughout the community and have earned performance invitations including:
- Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
- National Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington, D.C.
- UCF All-Southeastern Concert Band Festival
- Music for All National Concert Band Festival
- Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- 2022 Florida Music Education Association President’s Concert
- 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference
The band program benefits from outstanding parent and administrative support. Emphasis is placed on the individual student musician, with the understanding that every student is important.
The bands at Freedom consistently earn “Superior” ratings at all district and state music performances assessments (MPA) and has a high level of participation in Solo and Ensemble events as well as representation in all-county, all-state, and other honor bands. Freedom bands perform actively throughout the community and have earned performance invitations including:
- Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
- National Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington, D.C.
- UCF All-Southeastern Concert Band Festival
- Music for All National Concert Band Festival
- Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- 2022 Florida Music Education Association President’s Concert
- 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference
The band program benefits from outstanding parent and administrative support. Emphasis is placed on the individual student musician, with the understanding that every student is important.
Directors
Michael Antmann is in his 23rd year as a music educator, and his eighth as band director at Freedom High School. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Florida State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to his current position, he served as the Music Resource Teacher for Orange County Public Schools, and as band director at Bridgewater Middle School in Winter Garden, Florida, and Swift Creek Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida.
Bands under Dr. Antmann’s direction have consistently earned superior ratings at Music Performances Assessments (MPA) and earned performance invitations including the 2004 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival, the 2006 and 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conferences and the 2011, 2014, and 2022 Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) conferences. He has been awarded two Citations of Excellence from National Band Association, the FBA Tom Bishop Award, Teacher of the Year, and the 2010 and 2018 OCPS/Kessler Grand Bohemian Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts Awards. He was also a national semi-finalist for the 2019 and 2020 Grammy Music Educator Awards.
Dr. Antmann is an active member of both FMEA and the Florida Bandmasters Association, serving in multiple leadership roles. He is an instructor at and co-founder of the Florida Band Director Workshop in Titusville, which is an intensive and interactive workshop focused on conceptual teaching and band pedagogy. He is active as a guest conductor and clinician Florida, and has presented sessions at state and national conferences.
Bands under Dr. Antmann’s direction have consistently earned superior ratings at Music Performances Assessments (MPA) and earned performance invitations including the 2004 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival, the 2006 and 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conferences and the 2011, 2014, and 2022 Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) conferences. He has been awarded two Citations of Excellence from National Band Association, the FBA Tom Bishop Award, Teacher of the Year, and the 2010 and 2018 OCPS/Kessler Grand Bohemian Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts Awards. He was also a national semi-finalist for the 2019 and 2020 Grammy Music Educator Awards.
Dr. Antmann is an active member of both FMEA and the Florida Bandmasters Association, serving in multiple leadership roles. He is an instructor at and co-founder of the Florida Band Director Workshop in Titusville, which is an intensive and interactive workshop focused on conceptual teaching and band pedagogy. He is active as a guest conductor and clinician Florida, and has presented sessions at state and national conferences.
Carly Davis will be joining the faculty at Freedom High School as the Associate Band Director. She previously served as the Director of Bands at Celebration High School and completed her teaching internship at Freedom High School. A graduate of Florida State University, Ms. Davis held several leadership roles with the Marching Chiefs, including assistant drum major, marching coordinator, and clarinet section leader. As a clarinetist, she performed with FSU’s Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band. Ms. Davis is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Florida Music Education Association, and the National Association of Music Education.