Robert W. Krueger

From 1957 to 1982, Robert Krueger served as director of music education for the Northport–East Northport Union Free School District, where he developed one of the country’s premiere music programs. He served as president of the Nassau Music Educators Association, Suffolk County Music Educators Association, and New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education. In 1959, he created the Northport Community Band, which performs to this day in a bandshell that now bears his name. Also, he was the creator of the Newsday Marching Band Festival, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012.

Mr. Krueger passed away in 2013, the same year he conducted his 55th consecutive season with the Northport Community Band, making him the longest-serving founder and conductor of a community band in America.