Community Band Ready to ‘Swing into Spring’ Big Band, Jazz Hits March 15 in Merritt Island

free with no ticket required

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – The Community Band ‘Swing into Spring’  concert is scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at Merritt Island High School Auditorium, located at 100 Mustang Way (off North Courtenay Parkway).

The 3 p.m. concert will include song after swinging song that pays tribute to the greats of the era.

Community Band of Brevard has been a musical force on the Space Coast for over 40 years, performing several high-quality, free public concerts each year.

Mark your calendar now for their latest offering, Swing into Spring, an afternoon of foot-tapping jazz and big band favorites.

The audience can expect to hear medleys of hits by Frank Sinatra, Woody Herman, Cole Porter, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Some featured arrangements include, Sinatra, Woody Herman in Concert, Crazy for You, A Tribute to the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington and Music of Cole Porter.

Fans of John Williams will appreciate John Williams Swings—an entertaining and powerful medley of jazz-influenced themes from Williams’ film scores, showcasing the composer’s jazz roots. The Community Band of Brevard is directed by former military bandleader, Robin Kessler.

The group is a past winner of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award for musical excellence.

Swing into Spring 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.

The Swing Era (circa 1935–1946) was a period when big band-style jazz dominated American popular music, characterized by a danceable, rhythmic feel. Defined by orchestras led by artists like Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie, it featured arranged, swing-noted music designed for dancing.

Community Band of Brevard conductor, Robin Kessler has seen couples get up and dance during his band concerts. He’s expecting it during the high energy Swing into Spring.

“Swing music is energetic, optimistic music that was made for dancing,” said Kessler. “Our 65-member group can really do justice to the big band sound. There’s almost no way to stop your foot from tapping along.”

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 non-profit 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.

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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