Music speaks to retired educator through his heart

When Calusa Country Club’s Gene Bohland first played in a Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble concert, Carol — his wife of now 47 years — watched as he beamed while leaving the stage.

“Music talks to me through my heart,” Gene Bohland said. “It puts me in a good space.” 

Gene Bohland is a retired music educator who spent the majority of his career — 27 years as a full time band director at Sylvania Northview High School. He never really stopped playing nor teaching. 

“I always told my students that this can be a lifelong activity and I encourage them to do that,” Gene Bohland said. “I find myself now, as I am aging, that music fulfills something inside of you, but also keeps your brain going. It keeps you physically and socially active. It's such an important part of life.” 

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When the Bohlands moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2020, Gene Bohland seeked out ways to keep music prevalent in his life. Now he is a member of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, the Manatee Community Concert Band and directs the South Shore Concert Band down in Sun City Center.

Bohland said the cool thing about the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble is its people who were invited to play including players from symphony orchestras, top military bands, music educators, and all sorts of professional musicians. 

“This group, the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, is amazing and the level of music we perform is top notch,” Bohland said. 

Bohland will be performing along with 50 other musicians in the wind ensemble, for the “The Magic of Music” concert which will feature Principal Clarinetist John Fullam. It will take place on April 19 at 2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church. 

Joe Martinez is the music director and conductor of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble. He said Bohland is a great example of a dedicated musician and teacher.

“He’s impacting the community from both sides — still performing at a high level, but also leading and mentoring other musicians, many of whom are in the same stage of life,” Martinez said. “It’s not just about playing—it’s about continuing that sense of purpose and musical connection after a full career.” 

Bohland retired from Sylvania Northview High School in 2013 and he was given various letters from students he had over the years. 

“It gave them a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging,” Bohland said. “The band was a family and a safe place in the school for those kids. I had valedictorians and I had students who are now doctors, lawyers, firemen, policemen, stay-at-home moms, tradesmen. They do everything and they came from all walks and came together to be a family.”

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One letter was from Kathleen Dean, a saxophone player who graduated in 2005. She agreed that Bohland provided a safe space for students to be themselves, form relationships, figure out their futures and more. 

“I cannot thank you enough (for myself and for my fellow students) for creating an environment in which we could grow up and become ourselves,” Dean said in the letter. 

Bohland spent most of his career teaching students, but now he teaches adults in Sun City Center. He said both have been rewarding, but the experiences are definitely different. 

With children he had to have a certain demeanor — he had to be nurturing while also having high standards. He also had the opportunity to see the kids grow while being part of the band while the adults he teaches now only sees once a week, so they don’t have the same level of accountability. 

“The kids didn't come up to me and say, ‘I'm going to be on a cruise next week,’” he said with a laugh. 

Although cruises are more common with the adults he conducts, he knows that they want to be there to share the love of music.

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“That was always his philosophy — working with people,” Carol Bohland said. “That's always been his strength is bringing people together and working towards a common goal. Music just happens to be his avenue.” 

Carol Bohland, his wife, also studied music at the University of Toledo. While Gene studied music education, Carol was a saxophone major. Carol taught middle school band for three years but ultimately stepped away from that career to focus on raising their children. After a few years she returned to regular elementary education. They both decided having two music teachers would be too much with all of the extra activities that were involved.

“I’m very proud that he has continued this and sought it out,” Carol Bohland said. “He practices almost every day. When he was teaching, he never really had time to pursue that part of it.”

"When I conduct, I love to be able to share my knowledge and experience with other people and that's a purposeful life,” Gene Bohland said. “When I play, I challenge myself to be the best I can be and that's rewarding.”