Fred Tempas was previously a music specialist for the Arcata School District from 1979-2010, where he taught general music, band, chorus, guitar and musical theater.

At Cal Poly Humboldt, Fred studied with Professor Valgene Phillips. He has also studied with Floyd Cooley and Tony Clements.

Fred is active in the local community as a musician, performing with the Northcoast Brass Ensemble, Cal Poly Humboldt Wind Ensemble and Eureka Symphony. He has performed with the Humboldt Bay Brass Band as a band member, conductor and soloist. He is currently president of the board of directors of the Chamber Players of the Redwoods, which supports local amateur chamber music on the North Coast. He is also on the staff of the Brass Chamber Music Workshop each July at Cal Poly Humboldt.

As an active member of the California Association for Music Education, Fred has served as section president. He also provides adjudication and clinics for section festivals. In conjunction with the Eureka Symphony, he organized and presented the first “Symphony to Schools” chamber music program in Arcata.
You may see Fred each December at the helm of Humboldt County’s annual Tuba Christmas celebration, which he has directed for more than 20 years.