Friends and Colleagues, it is with sadness that I report the death yesterday of my dear friend Sandra Chapman of Fort Madison, Iowa. Sandra was the editor of the ACDA Journal for many years. (As a high schooler, I remember mock-ups spread all over the Chapman’s dining room when deadlines approached.) Sandra was a force of nature in many aspects, especially on the subject of middle school choral techniques. She recently published a book on the subject, “In the Middle with You – A Guide To Teaching Middle Level Choral Music.”
She is survived by her husband, Allen (also a force of nature) and daughter Anne, who, with such parents could be nothing other than a force of nature. I have not been able to reach Allen, and will post details of a memorial service if it is desired by the family.
I missed having Sandra as in middle school, as she began teaching at FM Jr. High when I became a freshman in high school. It was Sandra as much as Allen, my
HS choir director, who instilled music in me. It was she who taught me to love Lieder and taught me my first Schubert song, “Der Neugierige,” from Die schoene Muellerin. When after I started studying German (because Sandy engendered curiosity and thoroughness), it was she who pushed me to take French, then Italian. I owe a lot to Sandra Chapman, as to countless others. She will be sorely missed.
May choirs of angels sing her to her rest.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.