Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Elmer Koerner

In Appreciation

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

1. Elmer Koerner Marker

Inscription. Elmer Koerner devoted more than thirty years of his life in Naperville to organizing bands and developing greater appreciation of band music. From 1930 until his death in November, 1965 he served as director of the Naperville Municipal Band. He devoted much of his time and efforts to the encouragement and teaching of youth of Naperville in the playing of band instruments of their choice. These efforts contributed in a large measure to the development of the Municipal Band in Naperville as an outstanding band in Illinois and surrounding areas. His sincerity of purpose and devotion to cause earned for him the appropriate appellation "Mr. Music Man."

Erected 1966 by Naperville Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 41° 46.421′ N, 88° 8.801′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It can be reached from Jefferson Avenue near Washington Street, on the right. The marker is one of about a half-dozen affixed to the side of the Naperville Community

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Concert Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 East Benton Avenue, Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Naperville Municipal Band (here, next to this marker); The Great Concerto (here, next to this marker); Ronald J. Keller, Ph.D. (here, next to this marker); Central Park Seating Improvements (here, next to this marker); Confederate Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); DuPage County Centennial (within shouting distance of this marker); Baha'u'llah (within shouting distance of this marker); DuPage County Soldiers and Sailors Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

More about this marker.

Naperville Community Concert Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

2. Naperville Community Concert Center

About a half-dozen historical markers are affixed to the building to the left of the stage.

Two other plaques to the left of this one seem to have been drawn from the predecessor structure that was on this site, the Elmer Koerner Bandshell. Built in 1966, it was the third bandshell at this site. It was torn down in 2000 and replaced by the existing building.

Also see . . .
1. Also in 1966: Naperville Got a New Band Shell.

Excerpt: "The band was looking forward to the summer of 1966 which would be their first season in the new cement band shell when sadly, band leader Elmer Koerner suffered a fatal heart attack. Koerner had led the band since its 1928 charter and died in November of 1965. One of his students took over as leader of the band: a very young band teacher named Ron Keller. The new band shell was dedicated in June of 1966 as the Elmer Koerner Band Shell. The band used that facility for many years, but the year 2000 was its turn to be condemned. The current facility includes space to store instruments and closes off for rehearsal during inclement weather with a mural-covered door that depicts highlights of the band's history."

(Submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Elmer Koerner on Find a Grave.

Elmer Koerner Bandshell plaques image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

3. Elmer Koerner Bandshell plaques

These two plaques were saved from the Koerner Bandshell, which was torn down in 2000 and replaced with the current community concert center.

Koerner is buried in Naperville Cemetery. (Submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.