Melvin P. Kessler
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. NAVY (Ret)

Lieutenant Commander Melvin Paul Kessler is a native of Imperial, Pennsylvania and received a bachelor of music degree in trumpet performance from Carnegie Mellon University, a music education certificate and master of music degree in trumpet performance from Duquesne University, and a master of music degree in conducting from Florida State University. In March of 2005 he became the 26th Leader of "The Navy's Oldest and Finest Band."

His previous assignments include: Fleet Bandmaster ATLANTIC Fleet Band; Assistant Leader U.S. Navy Band, Washington, DC; post-graduate school at Florida State University; Deputy Director Navy Music Program; Director Navy Band Mid-South; Assistant Director ATLANTIC Fleet Band; and trumpet instrumentalist and soloist with the U.S. Navy Band, Washington, DC.

Upon his commissioning, LCDR 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, principal trumpet with the Tidewater Winds, principal trumpet with the McKeesport Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Pittsburgh, Maryland, and Virginia Symphony Orchestras, as well as Opera Memphis.

LCDR Kessler has appeared as a guest conductor with the National Concert Band of America, 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 and Charles Hois.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation (six awards), Good Conduct Medal (three awards), National Defense Service Medal (three awards), and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

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