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  • Jacobs associate dean Ryan Kelly elected to American Bandmasters Association

Jacobs associate dean Ryan Kelly elected to American Bandmasters Association

Thursday, February 27, 2025

(View full resolution version of this image) Associate Dean Ryan Kelly.  Courtesy photo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ryan Kelly, associate dean for academic affairs and student success and associate professor of music in bands at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, has been elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association, one of the highest honors for a wind conductor.

Kelly will be inducted into the organization’s prestigious, invitation-only membership during its convention in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Feb. 26–Mar 2. As part of the festivities, he will conduct Georgia’s Southwest DeKalb High School Wind Symphony in “Troubles of the World,” a traditional spiritual set for wind ensemble by William A. R. May, featuring renowned guest solo clarinetist Doreen Ketchens.

“The Department of Bands is proud of Dr. Kelly's accomplishment and contributions to the band profession,” said Donald J. McKinney, chair of the department. “The American Bandmasters Association has been responsible for fostering excellence in the band profession since 1929, including scholarship and the creation of important pieces for wind band. We celebrate and congratulate Dr. Kelly's election into ABA.”

Several former chairs of the Jacobs Department of Bands are also members: Ray Cramer, Rodney Dorsey and Stephen Pratt.

Kelly was previously associate director of the Butler School of Music and associate director of bands at The University of Texas at Austin, where he conducted the Wind Symphony and New Music Ensemble, taught graduate and undergraduate conducting and served as director of Longhorn Music Camp. Before joining the University of Texas faculty, he taught at the University of Central Florida and was a high school band director in Lakeland and Tallahassee, Florida.

He remains an active guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. He conducts all-state and regional honor bands throughout the United States and in summers, teaches on the faculty of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project as part of the Mid-Europe Wind Band Festival in Schladming, Austria.

In Kelly’s associate dean role at Jacobs, he provides oversight and strategic direction for curriculum and academic programs, student health and wellness, career readiness and accreditation.

The American Bandmasters Association, founded in 1929, with John Philip Sousa as honorary life president, recognizes outstanding achievement on the part of concert band conductors and composers. The current invitational membership comprises approximately 300 band conductors and composers in the U.S. and Canada, and 80 associate members (music businesses and corporations that provide significant services to bands and to the publication of band music).

Media Contact

Linda Cajigas
Writing/Editing Specialist
IU Jacobs School of Music
812-856-3882 | lcajigas@iu.edu

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