Gary A. Buttery

Gary A. Buttery serves as Adjunct Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Jazz Ensembles at Connecticut College, a role he has held since 1983. An accomplished tuba and euphonium virtuoso, conductor, and composer, Buttery's career includes 22 years as principal tubist of the United States Coast Guard Band (1976-1998). He has performed globally at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and St. Petersburg's Oktoberski Hall, and is published by Cimarron Music and Theodore Presser.

Buttery earned his B.A. and two Master of Music degrees (in Applied Tuba and Music Theory & Composition) from the University of Northern Colorado.

His artistic research spans tuba and euphonium performance, conducting, composition, and arranging, with a unique focus on interdisciplinary connections between music and whale communication. This work earned him the distinction of being the first tuba soloist featured on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Buttery's compositions, such as "Yves Tanguy-Images in Sound" (for tuba and electronics) and "Conversations With Grac" (for tuba and humpback whale), demonstrate his innovative approach. He has premiered works by numerous composers including Roger Kellaway and Vaclav Nelhybel.

• Diversity Award from University of Massachusetts

As ensemble director, Buttery mentors student musicians in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble through regular concerts at Evans Hall and Fortune Recital Hall. He also directs TubaChristmas events annually in Connecticut and Rhode Island and performs professionally with Alchemy (tuba/euphonium quartet), Bez Granica (Balkan brass band), and the Boston Festival Orchestra. His ongoing recital series in Germany since 2005 and leadership at the Northern German Brass Workshop highlight his international engagement.