Slater, K. B. (Kenneth Burton), 1917-2005

A conductor and cornet player, Kenneth Slater (1917-2005) was involved with numerous bands throughout his career. He performed with the United States Marine Band: "The President's Own," and the United States Army Field Band, where he was the cornet soloist for nearly a decade. Later he became the director of the Almas Temple Band and Hagerstown Municipal Band. In addition, Slater was also a charter member of the Shrine Bandmasters, a Past President of the Pennsylvania Bandmasters Association, and a member of the American Bandmasters Association.

The distinguished band director Kenneth B. Slater was born in 1917 in Cohoes, New York. His earliest musical instruction came on the cornet under his father, George H. Slater. Upon graduation from the New York Military Academy Band in 1937, Slater accepted a position as a trumpet player in the "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. Ten years later he was appointed cornet soloist with the United States Army Field Band, a position he would hold for another decade. Shortly before his retirement from the military, Slater became director of the Almas Temple Shrine Band in Washington, D.C. In 1959 he was appointed director of the Hagerstown Municipal Band in Maryland, a position he would hold for a decade. Slater also served briefly as director of the Shippensberg, Pennsylvania City Band. Slater is a member of the Almas Temple, Washington, D.C., a charter member of the Shrine Bandmasters, a Past President of the Pennsylvania Bandmasters Association, and a member of the American Bandmasters Association.