Gainesville High School Band members have decided to use their annual spring concert as a once-in-a-lifetime tribute for one of their own.

At 7 tonight, the students will sound their horns in honor of their late classmate, Patrick Kelley, who was killed in a car accident in December.

“Patrick was a major part of our band program, going all the way back to the sixth grade,” said Larry Miller, Gainesville High’s band director.

“Our students felt a great loss at his passing. The intent of the concert is to help promote some level of healing for us all.”

The concert is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Pam Ware Performing Arts Center on the school’s campus at 830 Century Place in Gainesville.

From beginning to end, the students have put a lot of effort into making sure their performance is fitting of their classmate who, among his other achievements, was a multiple-time Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Band member.

“Patrick was an extraordinary young man who was taken from us far too soon. Each musical selection was carefully chosen to speak to an individual personality trait that Patrick exhibited,” Miller said.

“From a concert march entitled ‘Quality Plus,’ which speaks to the fact that Patrick went above and beyond in everything he did, to ‘America the Beautiful,’ which pays tribute to the fact that Patrick had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout right before passing.

“The concert will culminate with the premiere performance of a commissioned worked entitled ‘Remembrance.’ It is based on an original poem and was written specifically for this occasion by nationally known composer Bill Locklear.”

Miller anticipates a large crowd, and encourages attendees to plan on arriving early. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.