When Robert Freeman became director of the Eastman School of Music on July 1, 1973, he inherited an administrative staff that had been in place for a number of years. The most important member of that staff at the time was Daniel Patrylak, who, as previously noted, had most recently been acting director following the resignation of Walter Hendl. With Freeman now as director, Patrylak resumed his previous role as assistant director of the school. He had earned his bachelor of music and master of music degrees in trumpet at Eastman, and he joined the faculty in 1958, following the completion of his studies. When Allen Irvine McHose, long-time head of the theory program at Eastman, retired at the end of the 1966–67 school year, Patrylak replaced him as director of the summer session and assistant director of the Eastman School of Music, two administrative positions that McHose had acquired in addition to his academic responsibilities. As someone who was intimately acquainted with every aspect of the school and its personnel, Patrylak was almost indispensible in providing for a smooth transition in leadership as Freeman took charge as the new director. He remained in his position for two academic years, but left the Eastman School of Music in 1975 to become chair of the music department at the University of Texas at Austin.

The man chosen to replace Patrylak as assistant director at Eastman was Jon Engberg. During his twenty years of service to the school, he consistently showed exemplary integrity and fairness in fulfilling his responsibilities, and a genuine dedication to the well-being of the school, its faculty, and its students. Initially given the title of assistant director for academic affairs, he was promoted in 1977 to associate director for academic affairs, also becoming associate dean of graduate studies the following year. Engberg had first come to Eastman as an undergraduate cello major in 1950, graduating in 1954 and subsequently earning his performer's certificate in 1955 and his master's degree in 1956. He was a member of the US Marine Band Chamber Orchestra from 1955 to 1959 and then was appointed to the faculty at West Virginia University. Engberg returned to Eastman for doctoral study. His doctor of musical arts degree was awarded in 1970.