Edward Freytag holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education (instrumental/vocal) from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1976) and a Master of Music Degree in Jazz & Studio Performance from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (1990) where he studied with renowned jazz educator, Jerry Coker and drumset guru, Keith Brown. Mr. Freytag was Associate Director of Bands and Instructor of Percussion & Jazz at Cleveland Junior/Senior High Schools in Cleveland, Tennessee from 1976 to 1989. While in tenure at CHS, his marching and concert percussion ensembles and jazz groups received consistent superior ratings and first place awards.
He has taught applied percussion at Tomlinson College, Lee University, Cumberland University and was the Professor of Percussion at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga during 1990 1991. Mr. Freytag has been a percussion section member of both the Knoxville Symphony and the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestras. He also has an extensive background as an adjudicator and clinian in both the percussion and jazz areas.
Mr. Freytag has performed and toured extensively throughout the United States, Russia, Germany, England, and the Caribbean Islands with such well-known artists as Liberace, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias, Steve Allen, Buddy Morrow, Donald Brown, Jerry Coker, Ron Miller, Ray Stevens, Bill Watrous, Terry Gibbs, Bud Brisbois, Dude Mowery (Arista Records), Marilyn Martin (Atlantic Records), James T. Horn (Curb Records), Philip Claypool (Curb Records), Ric Ferrell (Dreamworks Records), Mindy McCready (RCA Records), Thom Ellis (E3 Entertainment, LLC), Kimber Cleveland, Dr. Hook, and the legendary Carl Perkins. He has done openings for the likes of Kenny Chesney, Ray Stevens, Joe Diffe, Eddie Money, Tracy Lawrence, Rick Trevino, Billy Dean, Shaver, Radney Foster, Lorrie Morgan, Restless Heart, Martina McBride, Eddie Arnold, and Leroy Parnell.
Mr. Freytag is the founder of BOD Productions in Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Chair at LaVergne High School in LaVergne, Tennessee and the Percussion Consultant of Music City Legend Drum & Bugle Corps. He is the author of "The Rudimental Cookbook" and "Just Deserts," the definitive statements in rudimental drumming, and endorsed by Innovative Percussion, KHS America (Mapex Drums, Majestic Percussion, and Rowloff Productions.
Mr. Freytag is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society, Music Educators National Conference, Middle Tennessee School Band & Orchestra Association, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, Middle Tennessee Vocal Association, National Education Association, Tennessee Education Association and the Rutherford Education Association