Kelly High School music students taking part in inaugural jazz band

Under the direction of Keith Kyle, seven of the eight members of Kelly High School's jazz band rehearse during fifth hour Thursday in the school's band room. This year is the first time the school has a jazz band, which has already scored excellent ratings at multiple competitions. (Photo by Leonna Heuring, Staff)

leonnah@standard-democrat.com

BENTON -- It may have taken a while to get started, but now that it has, Kelly High School's new jazz band is making some beautiful music this year.

"We tried to start the program a couple of years ago, but it didn't develop so for all practical perspectives, this is the first year we have done anything with jazz band," said Keith Kyle, director of bands at Kelly High School in Benton.

When the time came last year for students to enroll in courses for this school year, several of them decided they wanted to take jazz band -- a course that was included in the curriculum but never taught.

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