Photo by Steve Hertzberg
Members of the Naperville Municipal Band recently returned from a prestigious convention with music and praise still ringing in their ears.
Eighty-five musicians played before 1,000 people at the 68th Annual Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas, during the weekend of July 24-26.
“It was a phenomenal experience,” said percussionist Steve Hertzberg, who was responsible for capturing more than 200 photos.
Retired U.S. Army band leader Colonel Bryan Shelburne said he was so impressed he is planning to visit Naperville to learn first-hand at the baton of Conductor Ron Keller, noted Diana Brandt , Manager of the Naperville Municipal Band.
In addition to leading the band in two concerts, Keller delivered a clinic on how to promote community bands which was the focus of this year’s conference.
“It made me nervous to play for the retired leader of the U.S. Army band, but he said he were fantastic,” Keller said. “He wants to visit us in Naperville. As an Army man he is used to telling people in the band what to do, but now he’s retired and he leads a community band in Georgia. He wants tips on how to deal with members of that type of band.”
The conference, held at the Lila Cockrell Theatre, attracted community and high school bands from all over Texas.
Longtime followers of the NMB summer concert series will recall when a special invitation was extended to the band last year during one of the Thursday evening performances in Central Park.
Keller, who has led the band for 50 years, said one reason for their success was a good relationship with Naperville.
“History helps,” Keller said. “Naperville was founded in 1831 and the band was organized in 1859. In many places community bands have only been going for 20 years. Becoming ambassadors for Naperville is something which has evolved. The more people know you the more likely they are to support you. We have always had a very good relationship with Naperville City Council.”
The trip to Texas was funded in part by a Naperville SECA grant.
