Kelly High School Band Trip

...A Vision

Dating back to 1990, Kelly High School Principal Dr. John Gelsomino, former band director, had a vision to transform a struggling neighborhood school by implementing higher academic standards, stricter discipline policies, and a restructured fine arts curriculum comparable to any selective enrollment school in Chicago. Through hard work and dedication of the staff and administration, a revamped Kelly High School maintained enrollment and secured positive trends in attendance, graduation rate, declining misconducts, and state-recognized benchmarks. Dr. Gelsomino understood the value of the neighborhood school, a second home for the students, and believed that the rise of academic achievement and quality of student is directly correlated to the activities and programs offered. In short, Kelly High School's quality academic and extracurricular offerings in fine arts, athletics, and social activities engages students, challenges our students and acts as the primary marketing and recruiting tool.

Under Dr. Gelsomino's leadership, Kelly High School opened a brand new fine arts and technology wing in 2001 when the school enrollment was at its peak. Mr. Algird Pretkelis, another former band director, succeeded his mentor when he became principal in 2002. It was under Mr. Pretkelis' influence that Kelly High School achieved some of its highest academic accomplishments. Already rich in band tradition, Kelly High School and Mr. Pretkelis strengthened its choral department and revived the orchestral and theater programs after a 30 year absence.

...Building a New Tradition

Today, our International Baccalaureate (IB) and AVID programs in conjunction with our fine arts programs provide students with exceptional coursework, preparation, and opportunities for self-expression and exploration to become competitive and marketable as college applicants. Nearly 30% of the students at Kelly High School are enrolled in an intermediate or advanced fine arts elective, proving that the arts programs continue to be integral to the formation of the “complete student experience” and are not just a mere graduation requirement. It is no coincidence that while school enrollment numbers have declined somewhat, the participation in our arts programs have increased.

...National and International Recognition

The Kelly Band has been recognized at local and national levels for outstanding achievement. Most recent performances and accomplishments include:

– McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade selection, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014. Selected as one of 15 bands from across the United States and Canada to participate in the annual event that is broadcasted nationally on WGN America, available to over 75 million households.

– Kelly High School was selected from hundreds of applicants nationally to receive the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation/Stubhub Grant in 2014. The Kelly HS Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. Michael McCain, was the opening act for world-renowned performer, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, as part of the Stubhub Next Stage Concert Series.



– NATO Promotional Performance in conjunction with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. Apr, 2012 with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and NATO Asst Secretary General Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

– Annual Holiday Event hosted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the Bridgeport Arts Center. Dec, 2012.



...A Wealth of Local Accolades

– As a result of performing excellence and exemplary participation in statewide festivals, the Kelly High School Music Department has been ranked in the IHSA Top 20 since 2009.

– Consecutive Superior Ratings at CPS Band Festivals from 2002-present.

– Annual participation, and often the only CPS representative, in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Columbus Day Parade, Bud Billiken Parade, Nowruz Spring Festival Parade, Franklin Park's Fall Days Parade, Lombard's Lilac Parade, and several other city and suburban events.

– Kelly High School has hosted Citywide Music Festivals since 2005 and All-City Regional Events in 2012-2014.

– During its inception in 2013, the Kelly High School Jazz Band won a Superior Award at the CPS Jazz Contest, and was selected to perform at the Chicago Jazz Festival.

– Kelly High School is one of the only neighborhood high schools in Chicago to boast a full string orchestra program, receiving state and citywide superior ratings

– The Vocal Liberation Front, Kelly High School's A cappella pops chorus, was selected to be a regional finalist for the 2015 Harmony Sweepstakes

– Kelly Cantantes Choir, under the direction of Eric Skalinder, was selected to perform on ABC Channel 7 News in promotion of “Voices of the Future” event to benefit Ronald McDonald Charities in January, 2012.

– The Kelly High School Theatre Group was selected to represent Chicago Public Schools and perform “A Piece of My Heart” at the Illinois Theatre Festival in January, 2013.

...Focusing on Higher Education and a Greater Future

– Kelly High School Fine Arts students have expansive opportunities to work with college professionals, perform on various university campuses, and explore a future in the arts as a major, a minor, or simply a means for financial assistance and reward

Since 2010, Kelly High School students have studied or performed at:
– Augustana College
– Illinois State University
– Northeastern University
– Northwestern University
– University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
– University of Illinois-Chicago
- University of Kentucky
– Saint Xavier University
– Vandercook College of Music
– Western Illinois University





… Kelly Band in the Community

The Kelly High School Marching Band is the face of the Brighton Park Community and, often times, the city of Chicago.

– Kelly Band students have previously been active participants in the Kiwanis Peanut Day event

– For the 2014-2015 school year, Kelly High School has launched a new concept for providing enrichment to local elementary school band students. The Trojan Pride Elementary Honors Program, coordinated by volunteer student leaders and music educators, grants additional performance opportunities, private and small-group lessons, and preparation for future high school marching and jazz band experiences.

– The Kelly High School Fine Arts Department regularly schedules performances and provides mentorship and assistance for local elementary schools, including Gunsaulus Academy, Saucedo Academy, Brighton Park Elementary, Byrne Elementary, Shields Elementary, and Tonti Elementary. In 2014, all performance groups embarked on an fifteen-school tour promoting arts advocacy and the importance of a neighborhood school education

– The Kelly Marching Band regularly participates in community parades and events in Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park, McKinley Park, Chinatown, and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods.

– The Kelly High School Band has secured a partnership with Country Financial for the 2014-2015 school year, promoting financial literacy in the Brighton Park community.





...Making music in the “Big Easy”

On January 1, 2016, The Kelly High School Marching Band has been granted an opportunity to represent Chicago at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA, a city rich in music education and tradition.

In addition to participating in the halftime performance with other high school and university marching bands alongside guest celebrity musicians, the Kelly Marching and Jazz Band students will have multiple opportunities to perform in front of several diverse audiences and clinicians on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Representing Chicago, our band students will network with high school and college ensembles from all over the country. They will expand their musical horizons by attending a concert at the world-famous `Preservation Hall, complementing the concurrent lessons in their music instruction. A trip to New Orleans would not be complete without delving into the science, history, architecture, and culture that is unique to that part of the country.


The Kelly HS band directors are in the process of securing musical collaborative projects and campus tours at local universities while on the trip, strengthening our school's mission of post-secondary educational opportunities for all students.

We wish to seek additional funding to make this trip a reality for all band students. Due to budgetary limitations, the school administration is unable to fund the lump sum necessary to reach our financial goal. Since 96% of the students at Kelly High School are considered low income by federal guidelines, their families often require supplemental aid to advance their educational objectives. Financial contributions, corporate partnerships, and product donations for future fundraising efforts are all greatly appreciated. We are thankful for your support in our efforts to represent Chicago at the Sugar Bowl events next year.




For more information about the Kelly High School Band Programs, please  visit kellyhs.org. You can also visit our Facebook page: Thomas Kelly High School Band for additional photos, videos, and news.