To the editor:
My friend and mentor, Mel Chance, would have been 90 years old today (Nov. 23). Two days ago, he was taken from us by COVID-19.
I taught with Mel in the band department of Brown County Schools from 2001-2014. We played in the Brown County Community Band, Mel on clarinet and myself on saxophone, and played alto sax together in the Nashville Saxophone Company quartet. We played every spring for the school musical, and held sectionals for the marching band in the summer. During the Indiana State Solo and Ensemble contest, we often coached students while I accompanied them on piano. I guess you could say we were inseparable during those months. I never failed to notice how lucky I was to have such a partner in music.
But beyond our shared work, without even knowing it, Mel mentored me. He showed me how to turn a passion for music and for playing into a career. It didn’t matter that it was volunteer work; we were chosen during that space in time to make a difference in the lives of students — to teach them discipline, dedication and offer them the rewards we knew were to be gleaned from musical performance. Mel always had a band, and he played with anyone he could. He had not gone ahead to get a degree in music, but while he had another gig, he always kept his hand in music.
He gave me the greatest compliment I possibly ever received when he told me one day he wished he had my classical chops. I always wished I had his ease of expressing the sheer joy he felt in music through improvisation and creativity.
Many times when the session was over, whether teaching or playing, we would linger to talk about people we had known in common in Indiana music circles. His enthusiasm never waned when he spoke of people, places and events. He was a guiding light, not just for me but for all of us who experienced his boisterous attitude, his zest for his profession and his sincere concern for all of our students. The impression he made on me will forever be indelible, not just in music but in every corner of my life.
I am the fortunate one, that, just by some cosmic plan that brought me to Brown County 20 years ago, I knew and loved “Mister Chance.”
Jinny Thompson, Nashville
