What: The Global Rhythms: Jon Kellis Memorial Concert and dedication of the "Jon Kellis Steel Drum Room" by the University of North Texas College of Music will celebrate the life of Kellis, a percussion student who died in 1999 during his studies at UNT.
When/Where: Nov. 3 (Monday).
The dedication of the "Jon Kellis Steel Drum Room" is at 7:15 p.m. in room 102 of the Music Annex Building, located at 1630 W. Highland St. in Denton.
The concert is at 8 p.m. in Voertman Hall, located in the Music Building at 415 Avenue C in Denton.
Tickets: $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens; non-UNT students; children; UNT faculty, staff and retirees; and groups of 10 or more. Free for UNT students with valid ID (students must pick up their tickets in person at the Murchison Performing Arts Center box office). Purchase tickets online at www.theMPAC.com/tickets or by calling the Murchison Box Office at 940-369-7802.
Parking: Evening parking is free in lot 26, southwest of the Music Building. The entrance to the lot is off of Highland Street. Parking maps may be found at http://www.unt.edu/transit/maps.html.
DENTON, Texas (UNT) – The life of a University of North Texas musician who passed away while attending the College of Music will be celebrated for years to come thanks to a memorial concert and room dedication in his memory.
Jon Kellis was a doctoral percussion student who was active in the steel drum ensemble at UNT when he died in 1999. He was headed to a movie theater, but he needed to get cash first. As he crossed the street to get to an ATM, he was hit by a passing vehicle. He died hours later at the hospital.
After his death, a photo of Kellis was placed in the College of Music's steel drum room; approximately 15 years later, the picture still hangs there as an inspiration to UNT students and as a remembrance of the talented musician, said Mark Ford, coordinator of percussion, who joined UNT six months after Kellis' death.
"Everyone who knew Jon says his gifts as a musician were unparalleled," said Ford. "We arranged this concert as a special tribute to his work as a talented performer, his love for life and to his complete dedication to music."
Additionally, friends and faculty who knew Kellis have said that he had a magnetic personality and that his constant smile, positive attitude and willingness to assist others in both music and in their personal lives have kept his memory alive.
"Ultimately, he became the teacher," said one faculty member who knew Kellis. "Jon didn't have enough life to grow up, but although he is gone, there is a little bit of Jon in everyone who knew him."
To help honor his life, the College of Music will welcome the Kellis family to campus for a dedication and naming of the steel drum room in Kellis' honor with a memorial concert to follow.
The "Jon Kellis Steel Drum Room" dedication takes place at 7:15 p.m. in room 102 of the Music Annex Building, located at 1630 W. Highland St. in Denton.
The Global Rhythms: Jon Kellis Memorial Concert featuring guest percussionist Robert Chappell takes place at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 (Monday) in Voertman Hall, located in the Music Building at 415 Avenue C in Denton.
Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for senior citizens, non-UNT students, children, and UNT faculty, staff and retirees, and groups of 10 or more; free for UNT students with valid ID (students who must pick up their tickets in person at the Murchison Performing Arts Center box office). Purchase tickets online www.theMPAC.com/tickets or by calling the Murchison Box Office at 940-369-7802.
About the UNT College of Music
The UNT College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the country. More than 1,600 music students attend UNT each year, participating in more than 50 widely varied ensembles and pursuing specialized studies in performance, composition, music education or music scholarship. UNT faculty members and students have made appearances on the world's finest stages and have produced numerous recordings, many receiving Grammy awards and nominations. Distinguished UNT alumni can be found around the globe, in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities and schools.