![Kevin Kessler](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_image_/public/Kessler%2C%20Kevin.jpg?itok=WhVAw4r4)
Title
Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of MusicOffice Building
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts CenterOffice
143Mailing Address
Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center 143School of Performing Arts-Box 2830
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007
Biography
Kevin Kessler is director of athletic bands and assistant professor of music. He directs the Pride of the à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs Marching Band, Pep Bands and the Concert Band. He also teaches Instrumental Methods and Materials, Supervision and Administration of School Music, Marching Band Pedagogy and is a Clinical Mentor for student teachers. Dr. Kessler earned his B.M.E. from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, where he studied trumpet and conducting with John Colson. He earned his M.M. from the American Band College of Southern Oregon University, and a D.M.A. in band conducting with a minor in music education from the University of Iowa, where he studied conducting with Dr. Richard Mark Heidel, arranging and marching band drill design with Mr. Kevin Kastens, and euphonium with Mr. John Manning. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Kessler served as a band director for 14 years in the Brandon Valley, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã school district, where his concert and marching bands consistently earned top rankings and ratings at region and national contests.Dr. Kessler is an active arranger and marching band drill designer. His drill design and musical arrangements have been performed by several college marching bands across the country. He is also active as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor. Dr. Kessler holds memberships in Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Bandmasters, Tau Beta Sigma (honorary), College Band Directors National Association, and is state chair for the National Band Association.
Education
- D.M.A. in band conducting, music education minor | University of Iowa
- M.M. in conducting | American Band College of Southern Oregon University
- B.M.E. | South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University
Academic Interests
- Instrumental (Athletic and Concert Bands, Conducting, Music Education)
- Marching band drill design
- Musical arrangements
Academic Responsibilities
- Director: Pride of the à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs Marching Band, Pep Band, Concert Band.
- Instructor: Instrumental Methods and Materials, Supervision and Administration of School Music, Clinical Mentor for student teachers.
Committees and Professional Memberships
Committees:
- Recruitment and Retention
Professional Memberships:
- South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Bandmasters
- Phi Beta Mu
- Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
- College Band Directors National Association
- Tau Beta Sigma (honorary)
- State Chair, National Band Association
Work Experience
- Director of bands, Brandon Valley, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã High School
- Graduate teaching assistant, University Bands, University of Iowa
Areas of Research
- Conducting and wind band literature
- Historical research into bands and significant figures in wind band history
- Music education
Department(s)
Image for School of Performing Arts
School of Performing Arts
Image for Music at SDSU
Music at SDSU