Maestro and vocalist-wife to take final bows

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Posted February 25, 2022 | By Rosemarie Dowell, Correspondent

Of all the songs in band director Leslie, “Les,” Muncaster’s storied, decades-long musical career, there’s one poignant melody he has yet to play – his Swan Song.

But soon, that will change.

After nearly 25 years as director and conductor of the 90-member symphonic Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band, Muncaster will take his final bow and retire following special, “Curtain Call,” concerts March 5-6 at Marion Technical Institute (MTI).

His wife, Marcia, who served as the band’s featured vocalist, will also retire. The couple plans to travel and spend time with their blended family of five children and 10 grandchildren.

“I feel good about it; I feel like it’s time for me to move on,” said Muncaster, 84, who began his musical career in the U.S. Air Force Band, serving for 27 years including 15 years traversing Europe performing at embassies and a multitude of festivals.

“Being able to perform with my wife for the last 24 years has been fantastic and rewarding,” he said.

Marcia Muncaster, 73, who also served in the Air Force Band as a vocalist, said she and Les will miss both the band members and the faithful audiences they’ve grown to love over the years.

“It’s been phenomenal,” she said. “It’s a wonderful group of people, they are like family to us.”

The Muncasters moved to Ocala nearly 30 years ago from Biloxi, Mississippi., where Les had served as music director/conductor for Kinetic Skene Productions and as manager of the historic Saenger Theatre, and they’ve been a large part of the county’s cultural arts scene ever since.

In 1994, Les became the Music Director/Conductor at Ocala Civic Theatre leading several award-winning productions including, “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Secret Garden,” and “My Fair Lady.” Four years later in 1998, the couple joined Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band, and in December Les accepted the volunteer position of conductor/music director.

“Not too many people are given the opportunity that we’ve had since moving to Ocala,” said Marcia. “We’re thankful for all the support from the community and the school board over the years.”

When Les took the helm of the all-volunteer band, founded in March 1990 as the Mid-Florida Symphonic Band, there were 35 original members and the band performed a few concerts each year.

Today, under Les’s tutelage, the number of band members has grown to 90-plus members ranging in age from 13 to 94-years-old and includes current and retired music educators and professional musicians, as well as 22 middle and high school students.

Libby Morgan, a bassoonist and charter member of the band, said the Muncaster’s departure from the band will be bittersweet.

“I’m sad about them leaving; it’s just been a wonderful and rewarding experience over the years,” she said. “But I’m happy for them and know they’ll enjoy time with their family.”

Today, Kingdom of the Sun not only performs five-weekend concerts (Sat.-Sun) annually but also plays at various community events throughout the year, including an annual Memorial Day Commemoration and an audience favorite – the annual “Veterans Light the Stars” program, a Veterans’ Day concert at the Ocala/Marion County Veterans’ Park, including musical selections and a fireworks finale, all sponsored and funded by the band.

“He (Les) and Marcia have grown and expanded our program over the years,” said Morgan. “We are where we are because of them, no doubt.”

Every formal concert includes a special salute to the military and each performance includes the singing of the national anthem.

“We’ve performed some great music over the years and there are exciting things ahead,” said Les, who’ll pass the baton to Assistant Conductor David Fritz, who will serve as interim director. Fritz, a retired school band director, and trombone player has been with the band for six years

“We know David will do a fantastic job as interim director; the band is in good hands,” he said. Meanwhile, Les will remain on the board of directors as director emeritus and serve as the military liaison.

The band, a formal non-profit as of 2017, more recently implemented a Guest Artist program and, at the band’s expense, contracts professional guest soloists to perform during concerts. Through an agreement with area school band directors, the soloists also conduct master classes for selected area schools and their students.

As for what he considers his biggest accomplishment as leader of the band, Muncaster said it was Kingdom of the Sun’s selection to be the opening band for the National Association of Concert Band’s annual convention in 2003.

“It was their Silver anniversary,” he said. “Over 250 bands belong to the association, so it was quite a big deal.”

The Curtain Call concerts, in honor of the Muncasters, will take place on Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m. and on Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m. at MTI, 1614 SE Fort King St., Ocala. The concerts are free and open to the public, donations are accepted.

Musical selections will include: “America the Beautiful,” “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” (Phantom of the Opera), “Irish Washerwoman”, and “Bring Him Home” (Les Miserables).

Following the concerts, the Muncasters will take a much-anticipated and well-deserved cruise to Southampton, England for an overdue visit with several of their grandchildren.

“We’re looking forward to spending time with family,” said Les Muncaster, a 2020 Marion Cultural Alliance Service Award recipient.