Fred Kepner composer / arranger

Charles Fred Kepner (26 September 1921, Waynesboro, Penn. – 23 October 2003, Leonardtown Md.) was an American composer, arranger and teacher.



Kepner studied at Catowba (North Carolina) College, the Juilliard School of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. He began to compose and arrange music at the age of 16 and was a pianist with several bands in the eastern section of the United States.



Kepner was in military service during World War II and joined the U.S. Air Force Band in 1947, becoming chief arranger. In 1950, he organized and led the Airmen of Note, the Air Force's premier jazz and dance band unit.



Kepner arranged for the Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Lunceford, and Buddy Morrow orchestras. He oversaw the Airmen of Note as they were filmed in The Glenn Miller Story. His composition Forward for Peace was premiered by the Air Force band in President Dwight Eisenhower's inaugural parade, and he guest conducted several of his own compositions in Carnegie Hall.



Mr. Kepner retired from the Air Force in 1966 and worked as a teacher for piano and composition for both civilian and military organizations in the Washington DC region.