Community Band of Brevard to Perform Music of Stage and Screen June 8 at Merritt Island High School

at Merritt Island High School Auditorium

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND,  FLORIDA —The Community Band of Brevard will continue its milestone 40th anniversary with Broadway Musicals & Movies on Sunday, June 8 at Merritt Island High School Auditorium, 100 Mustang Way, off of North Courtenay Parkway.

The 3 p.m. concert will feature musical treasures from both stage and screen.

The program includes Symphonic Dance Music from West Side Story and Opening Night on Broadway, the latter of which contains music from The Producers, Spamalot, The Lion King and other hit shows.

Film music is well represented, with Symphonic Suite from Star Trek and music from the suave spy series, titled Bond…James Bond –along with the enduring An American in Paris. Iconic film composer Henry Mancini is spotlighted in Mancini, which includes such familiar movie themes as The Pink Panther, Moon River and Peter Gunn.

A past winner of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award for musical excellence, the Community Band of Brevard is directed by former military bandleader Robin Kessler. Broadway Musicals & Movies is free with no ticket required and no reserve seating.

For more information, contact the Community Band of Brevard at 321-258-5580, visit CommunityBandOfBrevard.com, or connect with them on Facebook.

Community Band of Brevard conductor Robin Kessler knows that Broadway Musicals & Movies will be a hit with the band’s loyal audience.

“Music from the stage and screen is all about emotion,” said Kessler. “Hearing the music of James Bond, West Side Story, or the Pink Panther instantly brings you back to the experience. And this program is a lineup of everybody’s favorites.”

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 several years.”

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 

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 at 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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