For 57 years, Ron Keller directed the Naperville Municipal Band, promoting a music culture that was audience-centered and mentoring the next generation of musicians.
He will forever be remembered for his lifelong commitment to bringing music to the community.
An early musical start
Since his early days on Ellsworth Street, Ron Keller was rooted within the Naperville Municipal Band. His great-grandfather Joseph Bapst was the director in the 1870s and 1880s. His mother and father were also long-time members of the group.
But Ron’s personal connection to music started when he was just two years old. In the afternoons, he and his aunt would go on walks around the neighborhood. One day, he caught sight of a sousaphone that was in a garage and knew he’d found his instrument.
“So they brought a sousaphone from the high school over to Ellsworth School, and they marched me up and down the grade school gym and Mr. [Elmer] Koerner and my dad were sitting there. My dad said it’s too heavy, isn’t it, you can’t carry it. [I said] oh yeah, I can carry it, it’s not bad, I can carry it. I think the horn weighed as much as I did,” said Keller.
Playing it would also prove to be challenging.
“Finally Mr. Koerner said, well, let’s put a mouthpiece in and see if he could blow it. So he put a mouthpiece in and I let loose with a whomp that scared pigeons and everybody laughed,” said Keller.
Joining the Naperville Municipal Band
Since elementary school, Ron dreamed of leading the Naperville Municipal Band but would have to earn his way. In 1951, he became the fifth generation of the Keller family to join the group, performing as a soloist in junior high school and becoming part of the group’s tuba section.
While his mentor Elmer Koerner was leading the Naperville Municipal Band, Ron was a student at Northern Illinois University, not only in the marching band, but also leading it.
During this time, the Naperville native would return to Central Park to play with the municipal band. In the summer of 1962, he would have to temporarily step up as Koerner suffered a heart attack while directing a concert. That set the stage for Ron to take the baton permanently in 1966.
Leader of the band
As the new director, Ron led the march as an audience-focused band, playing what the community wished to hear.
He was assisted by his childhood friend Ann Lord, the Mistress of Ceremonies. Lord has been the band’s moderator for 65 years, helping Ron shape the band into what it is today.
“You’ve worked all day, let’s say, you’ve come just to relax, listen to good music, well-played which it is. I think they enjoy that, it’s just kind of sit back and relax and enjoy the music which is what they do,” said Lord.
A Naperville Fourth of July tradition
Each year, the band’s highly anticipated concert is the Fourth of July performance, a Naperville tradition since 1977.
Its highlight is the “1812 Overture,” featuring local church bells and cannons. This request came from former Naperville mayor Chester Rybicki.
“He came up to me after a concert one night and he said, ‘You know, I’ve never heard the band play the 1812 Overture, one of my favorite pieces.’ And I said, ‘well, Chet, we can play it, it’s just that to do it, you got to have cannons.’ So the next day he calls me at my office in Jefferson and he said, ‘I have four 105 howitzers, what time do we want them, and where?’” said Keller.
It continues to be one of the most attended performances of the summer.
The final bow
“It is with great joy and a touch of melancholy that we gather today to recognize the remarkable achievements and lifelong dedication of Ron Keller who is retiring from the Naperville Municipal Band after an incredible 71 years of service,” said Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli.
Wrapping up decades of leading the group, Ron performed his last concert as the director of the Naperville Municipal Band on Aug. 10, 2023.
After the performance, he passed the baton to Emily Binder, one of his former tuba students. They first connected in her freshman year at Waubonsie Valley High School.
“Sure enough, in a private lesson at one point, Ron said, ‘Do you want to come to the band?’ I said, oh my gosh, yes. It was incredible and terrifying all at the same time,” said Binder.
She went on to become the assistant director, before eventually taking over the full responsibility. Binder hopes to continue honoring what her mentor had built for years.
“Rare is the person that stays in that kind of long-term, deeply rooted connection and relationship. So that devotion has changed the lives of thousands of people, whether it was in the classroom, whether it’s here in the community center, he’s just been incredibly devoted to serving,” said Binder.
Honoring Ron Keller’s devotion to the community
On Aug. 15, 2023, a few days after retiring, Ron was honored for his service by the Naperville City Council. They presented him with a sign to rename Central Park Road as “Ron Keller Commemorative Way”.
“They say when you go out, go out on top and that’s what I’m doing. I’m going out on top, thank you very much,” said Keller.
Remembering Ron Keller
Ron died January 24 at the age of 84. Arrangements are still pending.
He was a leader, mentor, and friend, not only admired by those around him but by many in the community.
He’ll be remembered for over 70 years of making music with the Naperville Municipal Band, leading it toward growth and mentoring the next generation of musicians for 57 of those years.
But his wish was for the community to continue enjoying what he and many before him helped shape.
“To me, I hope Naperville realizes what they have here because it’s very special,” said Keller.