"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"

"Chuck was very special to all VMers. He who will follow in Chuck's place has a mighty big pair of shoes to fill. He made champions of all us guys on the risers. For the future, we will be standing on Chuck's shoulders, remembering all he taught us in our quest to be the best.

May he Rest in Peace! Bill Martin"

Please feel free to share the following sentiment with all the members of the VM:

Chuck Mitchell was a guy that very few outside the VM ever really knew or even knew about. Like so many other members of the Society, he joined, he sang and he contributed in his own way. The VM was able to prosper many times due to his foresught, his vision, his passion and his insistence, for his way was one that provided leadership and pride.

As a guy who coached Northbrook a few times in opposition to the VM, I got to know Chuck and admired his ability to find a way, to inspire and to win. No one will need to tell any of you what his contributions meant or the legacy that he left to the VM. That is too painfully obvious made more painful at his loss.

But, perhaps there is one thing that none of you have come to grips with just yet: Chuck increased the level of performance of the entire Society. His legacy is one of perfection that the rest of us had to chase for more than 30 years. If it weren't for Chuck, would any of the other coaches ever have had a goal? Who were we really trying to beat all those years? there have been many names in the spotlight over the years, but how many worked from within and produced as much as Chuck did?

How ironic then is it that the man who for so many years raised the level of the Society is not as well known as he should be. But, we knew him. We listened to him. And we were better for it. Better in so many ways.

Godspeed, Chuck, and please take with you the everlasting gratefulness from a competitor who is a better man because you made me work harder. I am so glad we got to be friends. I will always try to emulate the level of performance that you envisioned and always strove to obtain.

Thanks, bud. The Society is a better place because you were part of it.

Ev Nau

To The Vocal Majority Family and Fiends:

The Vocal Majority has lost a true friend and mentor with the passing of Chuck Mitchell this past week. Today we celebrated his life with his family and friends at the Highland Park Methodist Church in Dallas, TX. Chuck has been the Director of Choreography of the VM for many years and has been very instrumental in helping The Vocal Majority win 11 International Gold Medals.

As Phil McShan said at the service today, Chuck had a passion for excellence that was the driving force behind his desire to see the VM become the best it could be. He had a unique style and ability to make us believe that we could be better than we thought, and he was right. His ability to communicate that 'good enough was just not good enough' was special. He wanted us to strive for perfection, and he would convince "ever guy" that we could achieve it through hard work and dedication.

He always saw the best in every person with whom he came in contact. He touched many lives and we are truly thankful to God for the legacy that Chuck has left behind. He was a loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. His passion for people was far reaching, as evidenced by the many friends that were in attendance this afternoon.

We would like to invite any of you who have a special memory about Chuck to share that with us. We will be happy to pass those remembrances on to his family so they can be reminded of how Chuck's life touched us all. We also ask you to pray for Cheryl and the family that God would give them a special measure of strength in the coming days as they deal with life's challenges.

Todd E. Roberts
President
The Vocal Majority Chorus