About the Program
Since opening in 2002, the Kell High School band program has established a reputation for musical excellence. The three-tiered concert band program includes the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Concert Band. Each of these ensembles meets 90 minutes a day on a traditional block schedule. Students in the Kell band program are consistently members in the District 12 Honor Band, Georgia All-State Band, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Georgia Governors Honors Program. With the concert bands at the core of the music curriculum, students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular ensembles. These include the 150+-member marching band, full symphony orchestra, pit orchestra for the spring musical, numerous chamber ensembles, jazz band, percussion ensemble. The Kell Band Booster Association (KBBA) sponsors an after-school private lesson conservatory with an outstanding faculty of professional musicians. Since its opening in 2002, the Kell Band program has grown to over 200 total students in grades 9-12. Two middle schools feed into Kell High School—McCleskey Middle School (directors Patrick Clark and Andrew Paller) and Palmer Middle School (directors Victoria Shrote and Rick Dietrich). We are fortunate to have two strong band programs feed into our high school, where great teachers combine with great students and great parents. The Kell cluster is characterized by a collegiality and camaraderie that is truly unique.
