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Mel Knight Biography
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Mel joined the Barbershop Society in 1963 and was instrumental in founding the Lebanon, Oregon chapter. He directed the Eugene, Oregon chapter from 1980-1985 and took them to the International stage in 1983 and 1984. He worked on the Barbershop Harmony Society staff from 1985-1994, where he was the Director of Music Education and Services. During that time he wrote the "Music Leadership Team Manual," the "Improving Vocal Techniques Through The Warm Up" manual and was responsible for all musical activities for the barbershop Society. He also founded the "Director's College" to advance the education of Society chorus directors. He was an accomplished arranger and composer, with many of his songs published by the Society. Mel also has written a number of jazz ensemble pieces while teaching in high school and junior college. He was a judge, first in 1971 in the Arrangement Category, and more recently in the Music Category. Mel was in several outstanding quartets. He was the baritone in the 1982 Evergreen District Champions Cascade Connection. He sang with Over Time, the 2000 International Seniors Champions. He has coached both choruses and quartets throughout the United States and Canada. He has traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and England, working with quartets, choruses and chorus directors. He is on the staff at Director's College and Harmony University each year, coaching quartets as well as classes in other areas. Mel won many awards. He was the Barbershopper of the Year (BOTY) in both the Eugene and Tualatin Valley Chapters as well as the Evergreen District BOTY in 1995. He was inducted into the Evergreen District Hall of Fame in 1990. He was also the recipient of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) award for contributions and service to music education. |
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