Mr. Engebretson Passes The Baton after 36 Years in Malta

It is official. The announcement many were not wanting to hear has been made.

Eric Engebretson, band instructor at Malta Public School has made his decision to retire, effective at the end of the school year. He has taught band to kids for 40 years.

Engebretson started his teaching career with a year in grad school and three years in Wolf Point, MT. The years since then have been dedicated to the youth that have filled the band room in the schools in Malta.

“Mr. E.” said the highlight of his teaching career came in 1993 when he prepared the band for the All Northwest Conference in Portland. “It was a lot of money to raise! My high school band director at CMR in Great Falls went that year, too. It took us six months to raise the money…CMR raised that with ONE fruit sale!” He said Malta was the only Class B School in the state selected.

“It was my break!”

Mr. E. has served on the Montana Bandmasters, the Montana Music Educators, and as chair of the music for the Montana High School Association.

He said picking out the right piece of music is probably the most difficult part of his job. He’s always looking at new pieces, however he has his favorites. Among his favorites are arrangements by the classical composers, Bach and Mozart and others.

One of his strengths noted was his belief in the kids. He enjoys recording the beginning band students in the fall and then play the recordings back to the students in the spring. There are miracles in the workings that fine tune the little livewires and produce the beautiful sounds that resound in the final concerts of each.

Mr. E. has three children. Kristen, lives in New York City and teaches music. His son, Peter, and his wife live in San Antonio, TX., and he is an active storm chaser, so he travels all over. Peter and his wife are the parents of Mr. E.’s only granddaughter.

Elizabeth lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mr E. plans to retire and move there.

Bicycling is his passion; none of his children have the love for cycling like he does; although there are plans to bike across Iowa with his daughters.

Though he has been doctoring for the last couple years, Mr. E. was finally able to ring the “cancer free” (last chemo treatment) bell in Glasgow recently. He and a friend will be biking at some time to finish the trek his friend started; the friend started in Williamsburg, WV, and went as far as Colorado. They will finish the journey together. One item on his “Bucket List” is to bike coast to coast, beginning in Portland to eastern points of interest and adventure.

His retirement years are not quite what he had envisioned earlier in his life. Mr. E. said the death and loss of his wife, Jeanne on Dec. 9, 2019, has left a large void in his world. “All our plans for retirement together…” will never happen. With a solemn face and soft voice, his face portrayed the great loss he has been dealt.

Eric is fortunate to have both of his parents living, and is looking forward to time with them. Now he will be able to spend time with his parents as well as his two sisters.

His mom (89 years old) was his inspiration for going into the music field. She taught piano lessons and her influence helped mold Mr. E. into who he is today…the one with encouragement, motivation and belief in each kid that walks through the band room door.

There have been too many concerts over his 40 years to pick out a favorite. He said one of his favorite programs was the last Christmas program with the flashing lights – which incidentally were added at the last minute; there was no rehearsal prior to the performance. Two thumbs up on that one!

Forty years. Seven thousand two hundred days in the same profession. Mr. E. is pleased that some students have followed his profession and love for music…being an inspiration for someone to choose a career because of you is an honor.

His baton will begin the final High School Pops concert on Wednesday, May 10; on Tuesday, May 16, the Middle School Pops Concert will have their choir concert in the auditorium to be followed by the band performing outside, weather permitting. The 4/5 grade choir and band presentation will close out the teaching career for Mr. E. on Monday, May 22. All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

One thing is for certain, this man must have the patience of Job to endure some of the new squeaks, twangs and blaring sounds from first year students. Or perhaps he is the male version of Helen Keller, the Miracle Worker.

There were more tears sliding down the cheeks of students – big, strong, tough, frail, confident and talented the day the announcement was made. The day was as difficult for students as it was for him.