Brevard Community Band Celebrates 40 Years with ‘American Jazz & Swing Portrait’ March 9 in Merritt Island

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BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA — In 1985, local musical legend Marion Scott decided to form the Community Band of Brevard, to perform several high-quality, free public concerts each year.

Forty years later, the band is more popular than ever, and it is kicking off the milestone year with an American Jazz & Swing Portrait. The concert is scheduled for Sunday, March 9, at Merritt Island High School Auditorium, located at 100 Mustang Way.

The 3 p.m. concert will include a treasure trove of jazz and swing medleys and arrangements that pay tribute to the era’s greats.

The audience can expect to hear musical selections with such titles as Salute to American Jazz, Tribute to Harry James, Blue Mambo, Ellington!, Big Band Spectacular, Legends Of Jazz, Gershwin By George, Frank Sinatra Hits Medley, and more.

A past winner of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award for musical excellence, the Community Band of Brevard is now directed by former military bandleader Robin Kessler.

An American Jazz & Swing Portrait is free with no ticket required and no reserve seating. For more information, contact Community Band of Brevard at 321-258-5580, visit www.CommunityBandOfBrevard.com or connect with them on Facebook.

Flute player Mike Freeman is one of three charter members of the 1985 Community Band of Brevard who still plays with the group today. He has been their spokesperson and publicity manager for 34 years and has also served as president and board chair.

“I joined what would become the Community Band of Brevard after having just moved to Palm Bay to start my job with Harris Corporation. I played in the Band’s first public performance on November 21, 1985,” said Freeman.

“In the early days, I maintained a list of fax numbers and mailing addresses. I started the Band’s first simple website, all over a dial-up modem. Times have changed, but the music has been a constant in my life.”

Community Band of Brevard conductor Robin Kessler knows that An American Jazz & Swing Portrait and 40 years of well-attended programs wouldn’t be possible without a loyal audience.

“Our band is an all-volunteer group that loves to play,” said Kessler. “Our free concerts over the last forty years have been made possible by the generosity of our audience members — and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Musical selections by the 65-member Community Band of Brevard include classical, jazz, show tunes, contemporary music, big band arrangements and original compositions, often featuring talented guest artists. Musicians are all-volunteer players with diverse musical backgrounds.

In 1999, the John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the prestigious Sudler Silver Scroll Award to the Community Band of Brevard for “demonstrating particularly high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of several years.”

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY BAND OF BREVARD

Formed in 1985 by Marion Scott, The Community Band of Brevard performs several high-quality, free public concerts each year. Musical selections include classical, jazz, show tunes, contemporary music, big band arrangements and original compositions, often featuring talented guest artists. In 2021, retired Army Band Commander, Rob Kessler assumed conducting duties for the 65-member Community Band of Brevard. Musicians are all-volunteer players with diverse musical backgrounds.

The nonprofit group is a past recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Scroll Award for musical excellence and cultural leadership. More information about The Community Band of Brevard is available on their Facebook page, at CommunityBandOfBrevard.com or by calling 321-258-5580.

HISTORY OF CBOB 

ABOUT ROBIN KESSLER

Rob Kessler follows in the tradition of great military bandleaders. After six years as an active-duty Army saxophonist, Rob studied at The Ohio State University and received a degree in Music Education. He taught school band for 10 years and worked in music retail for another 12 years.

All the while he served as an Army Band commander in the Army Reserve and Ohio Army National Guard. Rob finished his military career in the Honor Guard and as a Deputy Senior Bandmaster for the National Guard, retiring in 2016 as the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 after 42 years of service.

Rob currently lives in Merritt Island, Florida, and works on Patrick Space Force Base. He is married to Central Florida Winds clarinetist Judy Kessler, whom he met in the 338th Army Reserve Band. Their son Derek and daughter Erin both continue the family tradition and serve in the 122nd Ohio Army National Guard Band.

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