Brion, Keith (1933-) | University of Illinois Archives

Keith Brion was born in Pennsylvania the son and only child of Kenneth (1901-1965) and Margaret (1903-1974) Brion. Brion studied music education at West Chester State University and was a piccolo student with John C. Krell.  Brion taught in New Jersey schools while studying for a master’s degree in music education at Rutgers University. He played piccolo with the New Jersey Symphony and founded and served as the music director of the North Jersey Wind Symphony. He was later a band educator and music supervisor in the New Jersey public schools, and Director of Bands of Yale University, where he led the Yale Band in performances at venues such as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

In 1979, Brion founded the New Sousa Band, of which he is the music director and conductor. This band is dedicated to playing the music of John Philip Sousa and recreating the performance style of Sousa's original band.  Brion also conducted the band in the persona of John Philip Sousa.

Brion also conducted several orchestras and bands, including the Stockholm Symphonic Wind Orchestra, New York City's Goldman Band, The California Wind Orchestra, and the Allentown Band. In addition, he performed with the United States Marine Band, United States Army Field Band, United States Army Band, United States Coast Guard Band and the U.S. Army Band of Europe in Heidelberg, Germany.  Brion has performed "Sousa revival concerts" with leading American orchestras, such as the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.