Joseph Melvin Kreines

Born on February 3, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois
Departed on July 31, 2025 in Melbourne, Florida

It is with a profound sense of sadness that I report, today, July, 31, 2025, 11:10 AM, the passing of our beloved friend, mentor and colleague, Joseph Melvin Kreines. He was 89 years old.

A giant has passed from us. Joe, for those who are not aware, is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association Roll of Distinction. That honor is unusual due to the fact that Joe never held a band director position anywhere!

However, it is safe to say no one rehearsed and performed more clinics for high school, middle school and college bands in the state of Florida than Joe. His knowledge of literature was nonpareil. His ability to assess the needs of a group was preternatural. He was an exciting and engaging conductor who knew how to make music come alive to every level of ensemble with which he worked.

His legacy will live on in the many compositions he wrote and transcribed for bands, solos and ensembles. His reference book on literature for concert band is invaluable to directors at every level.

He was a great teacher of students. He was an even greater teacher of teachers. His six decades of working with Florida bands had a universal effect on music-making in our schools. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him.

Joe was not a religious man. Therefore, there will be no formal funeral/memorial service. In Brevard, we have recently organized a memorial concert for Joe on October 12, 2025, at Park Avenue Baptist Church, Titusville, FL. Please feel free to contact Jim Bishop, [email protected], if you wish to have more information.

Thank you to the many people who wrote to Joe, visited Joe and contacted Jim to relay kind words to Joe. He valued your support more than you can know.

Rest in power, Joe.