MELVIN PAUL KESSLER, Lieutenant Commander, USN (Ret.)

Melvin Paul Kessler, Lieutenant Commander, USN (Ret.), was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of the National Concert Band of America in August of 2008. Mr. Kessler is a native of Imperial, PA and received a Bachelor's Degree in trumpet performance from Carnegie Mellon University, a Music Education Certificate and Masters Degree in trumpet performance from Duquesne University, and a Masters Degree in conducting from Florida State University. Currently he is a music consultant and maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator throughout the United States.

At the time of his retirement he was the Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, MD.    His previous duty stations were; Fleet Bandmaster FLEET FORCES Band in Norfolk, VA, Associate Conductor/Executive Officer U.S. Navy Band, Post-graduate school at Florida State University, Deputy Director U.S. Navy Music Program, Director Navy Band Mid-South, Assistant Director Atlantic Fleet Band, and as a trumpet instrumentalist and soloist with the U.S. Navy Band, Washington, DC. 

Mr. Kessler was the first member of the U.S. Navy Band in over 40 years to be commissioned a Fleet Bandmaster.  In addition to performing with the U.S. Navy Band, he has been a member of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, Fairfax, VA, Principal trumpet with the Tidewater Winds, Norfolk, VA, Principal trumpet with the McKeesport Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh, PA and performed with the Pittsburgh, Maryland and Virginia Symphony Orchestra, as well as Opera Memphis.  He has also performed for such notable artists as Barbara Mandrel, Mac Davis, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bob Hope, as well as Barnum and Bailey Circus and the Ice Follies.

He has taught in private and public schools and was the Band Director at Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, PA.  Mr. Kessler has appeared as a soloist with colleges and secondary schools in Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.  He has served as a choir director in Pittsburgh, PA, Burke, VA, Millington, TN and Annapolis, MD.

Mr. Kessler has appeared as a guest conductor with the Florida State University Wind Ensemble, Germantown Symphony Orchestra, Memphis, TN, George Mason University Concert Band, Carnegie Mellon University Wind Ensemble, Robinson High School Band, Fairfax, VA, Kempsville High School Band, Virginia Beach, VA, and Lincoln High School Wind Ensemble, Tallahassee, FL.

He studied conducting at George Mason University with Anthony Maiello and at Florida State University with Dr. James Croft.  His trumpet teachers include Anthony Pasquarelli, Carnegie Mellon University and Charles Hois, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three gold stars), Navy Commendation Medal (gold star), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star), Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal (five awards), Good Conduct Medal (three awards), and National Defense Service Medal (three awards) and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.