Link to New Assistant Director
Link to Former Assistant Director – Dan Bowles
Link to Director Emeritus
Bob Miller, Our Conductor
Bob is honored that this is his tenth season as Conductor and Artistic Director of the Venice Concert Band. The adult and student musicians on stage are all volunteers and come from different walks of life including education, medicine, and business.
This is Bob’s eleventh season as Conductor and Artistic Director of the Symphonic Winds of Charlotte County in Punta Gorda. He played principal euphonium in the North Port Concert Band for 12 years and was their Assistant Conductor for 10 years. Bob is a former Conductor of the First Brass of Sarasota. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and his Master’s Degree in Music History and Literature and his Music Supervisor’s Certification from Temple University in Philadelphia. Bob is retired from teaching instrumental and vocal music in the Abington School District in suburban Philadelphia. For 41 summers, Bob took 100 – 200 high school musicians on a European cultural and performance tour with an organization called American Music Abroad. He also led a group of students on a performance tour of China. Bob has performed with community theaters in the Philadelphia area and with Venice Theater. Bob lives in Venice with his wife, Carolyn, of 58 years.
Bob has been asked, “Does the conductor really matter?” His answer is, “Yes. It is my responsibility to select the music, then give the musicians insight into the music so the notes become alive as we together interpret what the composer intended. This volunteer band works very hard during rehearsals and on their own to perfect their music for each concert.”
A conductor’s connection with the audience is an essential part of realizing a magical concert experience. To expand the audience’s knowledge of concert band literature, Bob shares information about the piece, the composer, and the arranger. Hopefully, during each concert, the audience will feel Bob’s love of conducting and that special spark needed between a band and their conductor.
It has been said, “Music has no barriers and needs no translation. It has the power to reach us all, to unite us as friends, as we experience the musical journey of each concert.” The Venice Concert Band hopes that their music will speak to you and entertain you as your knowledge of band literature is expanded.