Brian Allan Kelly's Obituary
Brian Allan Kelly
Family:
Brian was born in Detroit, Michigan on the 19th of May in 1945 and died in
Dunedin, Florida on January 23, 2019. He is survived by his beloved foster
son Yew Teck (William) Tan of Schenectady, NY, his sister Jean A. Hurchalla and her husband George of Palmyra, VA, nephews David and Jeffrey, and niece Elizabeth.
Education:
High School: Redford High School, Detroit, Michigan
Colleges: Spring Arbor College, University of Michigan, University of Hawaii
Degree: University of Hawaii - Bachelor of Music Education
Career: Ferry Elementary School teacher, Detroit, Michigan 1965 - 1967
Music Teacher, Band Director, Music Department Chairperson, Lahainaluna
High School, Lahaina, Maui 1971 - 2001.
Honors Received:
• Outstanding Music Student for two years in high school
• Outstanding Music Student at University of Hawaii
• Included in Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1992
• American Hall of Fame Director's Award
• John Philip Sousa Foundation - Laureate for the Legion of Honor Award, 1993
• Sudler Order of Merit of the John Philip Sousa Foundation in recognition of
many special contributions to the excellence of bands and band music, 1993
• Volunteer Center of Maui County - “Hale Lima ‘Akau” County Council of Maui
Teacher Appreciation - Dedication and Commitment to Education, 1997
• Conducted (Guest Conductor) Maui District Intermediate Massed Band, 1998
and Maui District High School Honor Band, 2006
• Conducted United States Collegiate Wind Band Internationally
Offices held: President - Maui District Music Educators Association,
Representative to State Music Association
President - Maui District High School Band Association
President - Student Chapter of NEMC at University of Hawaii at Manoa
Administrator and Assistant Conductor - United States Collegiate Wind
Bands
Chairman - Pinellas County Celiac Support Group
Travel: Twelve summer performance tours with the United States Collegiate Wind Band to nine countries in Europe; personal journeys to Canada, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Indonesia and Cambodia.
Professional Philosophy:
School music classes should provide camaraderie; by working together, students find enjoyment in their learning. By sharing our knowledge, students are able through performance to enjoy a sense of creating beauty. In our profession, we must strive to enrich the lives of our students through the beauty of the written score which translates into beautiful sounds, feelings, and emotions.
Retirement: In 2001 Brian retired from teaching. He moved from Maui to Clearwater and later to Dunedin, FL. Continuing his great interest in music, he sang in the choirat Good Shepherd Episcopal Church under Carol Alexander's direction, and also with her Shepherd Chorale. Later, he sang with the Clearwater Singers and at Ascension Episcopal under Beth Hunter, and entertained the choir on Christmas Eve between services at his home for dinner for many years. Brian sang in the Bach Choir, also directed by Carol Alexander, for several years including in costume for Pipescreams at Halloween.In addition, he was secretary of the Chamber Music on the Beach program hosted by Carol Alexander. Last fall, Brian rejoined the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and continued to attend many of the monthly organ and choral programs. Brian was always willing to help choirs out as needed at Peace Memorial Church (as recently as last December), and Good Samaritan Church.
Memorial: In the late 1990’s, Brian initiated the formation of the Lahainaluna High School Foundation, the fascinating history of which can be found at
www.lahainalunahighschoolfoundation.org/content/4e7baf48215a0/
In memory of Brian, if you would like to donate to the Lahainaluna music
scholarship which has been established in his name, here are the details:
Lahainaluna High School Foundation
P.O. Box 11617
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
Please add memo on check: Brian Kelly Memorial Music Scholarship.
Checks should be made payable to: LHSF Scholarship.
A memorial service for Brian will be held at 2:00 PM on February 18 (Monday, Presidents’ Day) at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 701 Orange Avenue.
“In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Brian Kelly Memorial Music scholarship mentioned above.
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