"As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

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A favorite quotation, found on a plaque hanging in Chucks garage:

“A ship, like a human being, moves best when it is slightly athwart the wind, when it has to keep its sails tight and attend its course. Ships, like men, do poorly when the wind is directly behind, pushing them sloppily on their way so that no care is required in steering or in the management of sails; the wind seems favorable, for it blows in the direction one is heading, but actually it is destructive because it induces a relaxation in tension and skill. What is needed is a wind slightly opposed to the ship, for then tension can be maintained, and juices can flow and ideas can germinate, for ships, like men, respond to challenge”
James A. Michener (Chesapeake [1978]

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Good enough, AIN'T good enough!
-Chuck Mitchell
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".....There are other worlds to sing in."

"Chuck will be missed… he was one of several people in the chorus that would look past where we “are now” and could visualize what the chorus “could be”, and would push us to achieve that level. We all are a better person as a result. There are quite a few lessons that can be learned by looking back at Chuck’s life and how he lived it… lessons for all.

I believe in my heart that the spirit of Chuck Mitchell today is as strong as it is in my memory… and I would not be surprised that…. On the day that I pass through those Pearly Gates…. I will witness the Heavenly Host singing, not only in perfect harmony, but now with ‘chorography’.

Godspeed Chuck… (..save us a spot on the risers)

Eric Zipp

Chuck's passing is one of the greatest losses ever for the VM family. If you've ever seen the man work in front of the chorus, you know what I mean.

Whenever Jim would say, "Chuck, why don't you step in front and take a look..." we'd ALL snap to attention in a nanosecond. "Ever'guy" as Chuck would say in his thick West Texas drawl, would have his chest raised, chin up and face in the game by the time Chuck was done. He could explain and demonstrate how to convey emotions visually like none other. His passion for visuals was contageous and he earned our trust for 30+ years. You couldn't help but do it Chuck's way. It was the right way, every single time.

I've seen many men resist outside coaching help, in their stubborn pride, thinking that they were good enough to do it all, but not Chuck. He collaborated extremely well with EVERY VM coach, easily adapting his universal methods to fit no matter if he was working in concert with Cindy Hansen, The Calderons, or Larry Ajer. Amazing!

I just can't believe this day has come and I am beside myself with grief. My consolation is that Chuck's spirit will live on in every song that the VM sings and the audience will see his presence in the 150+ men that carry on his life's work.

Raise your buttons high,
We'll never forget your gifts,
Immortal wisdom.

Rest in peace good friend.

Mike Borts
The Vocal Majority

"I am proud to have known Chuck for a short time. His demand for excellence was


evident to me from the moment I met him. Only a VM bass since last year, I
count myself lucky to have joined early enough to have known Chuck. Even for
just a while.

I can only imagine, on the day Chuck went to Glory, the Father in heaven
looking at his choir of angels and saying:

Buttons up boys, Here Comes Chuck.




G Scott Lewis"

"There is not enough time and there will never be enough words.
The life of Chuck Mitchell has forever touched and changed my life. He was willing to share a side of himself and his life with me that very few were blessed to see. While he "barked" there was never a "bite".

His love for your success, his passion to help everyone touch lives beyond just us, and his relentless bellowing drive got us to do so much more then we dreamed possible. His coaching changed the world of vocal music. His time on this earth has blessed us all.

God out did himself when he created the man we all knew as, Chuck Mitchell. Today heaven will be blessed and definitely changed now that Chuck Mitchell has arrived.

Can't wait to see you again, my friend.
You have blessed us all.
I will always do that special VM spread with the great big back lean - just for you.
Cindy
Cynthia K. Hansen Ellis

"We all lost a friend on Saturday.

I first met Chuck in 1999 while Phil was directing the Ft. Worth Chorus. Chuck was gracious enough to come over and ‘help’ us with our presentation package. I’ll never forget the first time he told me that, 'you got to have more attitude' and that ‘good enough, wasn't good enough'! At the time, I really didn't know what any of that meant, but it sure scared the heck out of me back then.

To all of you who have known Chuck throughout his Vocal Majority career and to those of you that have known him a lifetime, you have my most heartfelt condolences.

I didn't know him long, just long enough to call him friend.......he will be missed.........

JR Leath"