CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Designate Central Park Road as "Ron Keller Commemorative Way"
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DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
SUBMITTED BY: Marcie Schatz, Assistant to the City Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The City of Naperville has a commemorative/memorial street name sign program to honor people, organizations, or groups who have achieved noteworthy accomplishments and service to the community. Currently, the City has five commemorative/memorial streets: Judd Kendall Memorial Way (Jackson Avenue), Stenger Commemorative Parkway (Frankin Avenue), Ned Becker Commemorative Parkway (Naper Boulevard), and Nitra and Patzcuaro Commemorative Parkways (Aurora Avenue and Webster Street).
DISCUSSION:
Ron Keller is a graduate from Northern Illinois University earning his master's degree at VanderCook College of Music and a doctorate from Ascension University in Louisiana. Ron was an elementary music teacher for three years and a band teacher at Jefferson Junior High School for 23 years.
Ron has been part of the Naperville Municipal Band for 71 years, serving as the band director for 57 years. Under Ron's leadership, the Naperville Municipal Band has ascended to become one of the premier community bands in the country, captivating audiences with their performances and exquisite musicality. In 1991, the band was the recipient of the Sudler Silver Scroll Award from John Phillip Sousa Foundation. Under Ron's leadership, Thursday night band concerts in Central Park have become a Naperville tradition.
Ron has guided and inspired countless musicians with his extraordinary talent, passion, and unwavering commitment to the art of music. He invites young musicians to play with the Naperville Municipal Band, schedules joint concerts with high school bands and founded a scholarship to support students aspiring to become music educators.
Ron Keller's retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era. Commemorative renamin...
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