Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

November 20, 1932

Death

:

August 16, 1972

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

John Barnes Chance was an American composer who was born on November 20, 1932, in Beaumont, Texas. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a band director, and his mother was a pianist. Chance began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the clarinet and saxophone. Chance attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied composition with Clifton Williams and Kent Kennan. He also played in the university's Longhorn Band and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduating in 1955, Chance served in the United States Army as a bandsman and arranger. After his military service, Chance returned to Texas and began teaching music at the high school level. He also continued to compose music and became known for his works for wind ensemble. In 1962, Chance's composition "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" won the American Bandmasters Association's Ostwald Award, which is given annually for the best new work for band. Chance's most famous work is his "Incantation and Dance," which was commissioned by the University of Michigan in 1960. The piece is divided into two sections, with the first section featuring a slow, mysterious melody played by the woodwinds and the second section featuring a fast, rhythmic dance played by the entire ensemble. "Incantation and Dance" has become a staple of the wind ensemble repertoire and is frequently performed by high school and college bands. Another notable work by Chance is his "Elegy," which was written in memory of President John F. Kennedy. The piece features a somber melody played by the brass and is often performed at memorial services and other solemn occasions. Chance's other works for wind ensemble include "Blue Lake Overture," "Introduction and Capriccio," and "Symphony No. 2." He also wrote several works for orchestra, including "Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra" and "Symphony No. 1." In addition to his work as a composer, Chance was also a respected music educator. He taught at the University of Kentucky and the University of Texas at Austin and was a guest conductor and clinician at high schools and colleges throughout the United States. Tragically, Chance's life was cut short when he died in a car accident on August 16, 1972, at the age of 39. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world. In conclusion, John Barnes Chance was a talented composer and music educator who made significant contributions to the wind ensemble repertoire. His works, including "Incantation and Dance" and "Elegy," are beloved by musicians and audiences alike and continue to be performed to this day. Despite his untimely death, Chance's impact on the world of music is undeniable, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of composers and musicians.

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