Ron Keller, Conductor and Music Director

 

Ron has been involved with the Naperville Municipal Band since 1951, when he appeared as a soloist. Ron became director in 1966 following the untimely death of Elmer Koerner, his teacher. Since that time he has poured his energy into developing the band into one of the premiere adult organizations in the country. In 1991 the band received the prestigious Sudler Silver Scroll Award presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. This award recognizes excellence in community bands, and the band was only the fifth such band recognized.

 

Ron is a member of the Windjammers Unlimited, the American School Band Directors Association, The Association of Concert Bands (life member), Masonic Lodge, and Burlington Route Historical Society. He was also treasurer of Sister Cities Commision. Ron has been in the field of education for over 45 years. Prior to his retirement, in June 1993, he was K-12 Coordinator of Music for School District 203 and Director of Bands at Jefferson Junior High School. He has served on the Board of Directors of Windjammers Unlimited, elected President in 2007, and is a past President of the Association of Concert Bands.

 

In his spare time (when there is any) Ron loves to garden, fish and work on his model train layout. He is married with five children and seven grandchildren. Mr. Keller began portraying John Philip Sousa in 1989, when the Naperville Municipal Band played a typical "Sousa Style" concert called "Sousa Lives!" at the Paramount Arts Center in Aurora, IL. Since then he has revived the role each year, on or near Mr. Sousa's birthday.