This year’s fall concert by the Elmhurst College Music Department will be a musical tribute to Ross Kellan, a revered faculty member who was conductor of the Elmhurst College Symphonic Band, Music Department chair from 2009-2011, and chair of the Music Education Division. He passed away this summer.

James Hile will conduct the Wind Ensemble and Joseph Manfredo will conduct the Symphonic Band. The fall band concert will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel (190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, www.elmhurst.edu/campusmap). Admission is free.

Professor Kellan dedicated his life to music education and inspired the entire College campus with his optimism and dedication to his students. The fall concert program features some of Professor Kellan's favorite pieces for band, including Reed's Armenian Dances, Barnes' Symphony No. 3, Chance's Variations on a Korean Folk Song, and more. Students are looking forward to celebrating their professor’s life with his favorite music. “Professor Kellan had such a unique impact on each of his students. I will never forget the way he made me feel important,” a senior music education major said. “This concert is a perfect way to honor his memory.” A junior music education student said, “Professor Kellan was a wonderful role model. I am thankful to have the opportunity to both honor and celebrate his life and service in the field of music.”

The Elmhurst College Music Department has established the Ross Kellan Memorial Scholarship Fund to provide an annual scholarship for a music education student. Donations may be sent to: Ross Kellan Scholarship Fund, Music Department, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126.

For more information on Elmhurst College Bands or to receive a schedule of upcoming performances, visit elmhurst.edu/music.

Elmhurst College is a leading four-year college that seamlessly blends liberal learning and professional preparation to help students reach their full potential. Elmhurst offers more than 60 undergraduate majors, 15 graduate programs, degree-completion programs for adults and the Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy for young adults with developmental disabilities. Elmhurst is one of the Top 12 Best Colleges in the Midwest and ranks No. 3 for undergraduate teaching, according to U.S. News & World Report; and U.S. News, Money and Forbes magazines consistently rank Elmhurst as one of the Midwest’s best values in higher education.