Mel Glow: A Celebration of Mel Knight
If you have a story that you would like to share,
please send it to us via our "contact" page.
Note to Readers: New stories are at the end of the thread because your webmistress is just not that clever.
from Darrel Boyd
To say I wasn’t ready for the news would be to say I was oblivious to the clues left by his closest family and friends. I’ve been wrapped up with my own life. I didn’t know about the cancer. So when the news came to me yesterday I could not hold back the tears.
Mel Knight did not guide me into a career of music like he did for so many others. He simply gave me the gift of music. I am not a super gifted musician but I can pretty much hold my own amongst such people. And they lift me up.
The band teachers I had before him were adequate but when I first saw Mel Knight as an 8th grade band student I was blown away. Our lofty little stage band had just finished our set at Lebanon Junior High (it wasn’t called middle school yet) and took our place in the bleachers.
We were smack in the middle of the Brady Bunch era and hip hugger jeans with the white belts were the rage back then. So, suddenly there is this high school band on the stage sporting all those hips ringed with white belts. And then Mel walked out onto the stage. I just want to confess right now the man had a great ass and he totally owned those hip hugger jeans.
He was cool.
Not like any band teacher I had ever seen before.
Then they started to play.
It was only 3 or 4 tunes but each one gave me goosebumps. I think the final one was a tune called “In and Out of the Garbage Pail”. It had a driving kick ass trombone lick, which was right down my alley.
That was the day band became cool.
When I moved on to high school I was fortunate to be in the same class as his daughter Erin, as well as a host of other very talented students. Somehow, despite my lack of discipline, I managed to work my way into the Stage Band and then, to the coveted Jazz Ensemble. This was the group that went places. Their trip to Europe was legendary to us younger classmates; and now there was talk of Hawaii.
I was destined to be second chair trombone. In fact, I do not recall chair challenges once we hit High School Stage Band. These were the norm up to that point. It was kind of like a musical dual, proclaimed by a lower chair to take over the higher chair to the right. The person to my right was always Lyle Johnson. Even though I tried many times I never took first chair from him. And, as it turned out, it was for a very good reason. He was not only a better trombone player he was (and is to this day) just an incredible musician. I could not (especially after I got braces) play as high or as accurately as Lyle. But chair challenges went away mostly because I think Mel preferred to keep us in our appropriate niches and then challenge us by spreading the solos around.
That’s right, first chairs did not get all the solos. So, take that Lyle.
Frankly, one of my proudest memories was after a solo at a Jazz Competition at Clackamas Community College. The tune was “Here come the Orcs“ and was written and arranged by Mel, and he specifically gave me one of the solos; no pressure there at all right? So up to that point I started that solo with the melody line from “Mary had a little lamb”. Literally, during the short rehearsal before we took the stage the band confronted me. “Get rid of Mary had a little lamb. It’s been done!”. So I came up with a new intro and blasted out a pretty decent solo. Lyle took a moment from behind his mouthpiece to tell me “Great job”.
In fact, the whole band was magical and doing a great job that day. As memory serves me Erin got a rather interesting review for her solo from one of the judges. “Will you marry me?” was how it started off. Her bari sax solo was stunning and of course she was as well. But I knew first hand of the hours she put in at the practice rooms. I can still hear it to this day as she worked her way through that solo in the next room over.
Mel taught us the magic of what it was to be in a band. When everything locks up and you suddenly notice the audience is responding. When the energy is suddenly and evenly shared. When band members take responsibility for each other.
And it went both ways. Mel never criticized for an unfortunate solo or performance; at least not to me and trust me when I tell you there was plenty of opportunity for criticism there. I recall a bus ride to a competition once when a band-mate was bragging that she never chokes on a solo, only to have the most uncharacteristic train wreck of a solo later that day. Mel didn’t give it one extra thought other than to put his hand on her shoulder. The band then rallied to her.
Likewise, when I botched a solo at the Lebanon High School Auditorium he never said a word. The next day I realized why my amateur folded up like a cheap card table that night. I was taking a muscle relaxer for a football injury I had a couple days prior. When I told Mel he just laughed and said something like “Well, there’s always next time”
Our band went to Hawaii and played in the Waikiki Shell. But frankly the most memorable part of that trip was playing for an orphanage. Our drummer gave his drumsticks to one of those kids. The joy that was in the room that day had to be infectious. I sincerely hope that some of that magic lives on for those now grown kids. I do know, at least it still does for some of us that were there.
And so…
I remember Mel as even handed, fair, and firm. God help you if his lip was twitching.
Whatever we may think of this social media combobulation called Facebook it did give me the opportunity to thank him. And tell him of the magic in music I was able to pass on to my children. And of course he was so humble in response. I was also honored to play under his direction with many former band mates just 4 years ago for the Grant Johnson 50th Anniversary Concert. As he walked up center stage and raised his hands a lump formed in my throat. My leg started twitching in the familiar pattern my whole family knows when I’m getting emotional. It galls me to no end but there seems to be no cure for it.
Here I was on this old stage again under the direction of Mel Knight.
At some point that evening we had a moment to talk. He said he was surprised that I kept playing. After a moment or two of stupid explanations I finally said… or at least thought… and I’m thinking it now in gratitude.
“Mr Knight, you are the one who showed me the magic”
For Mel Knight
A musical soul.
.
from Leesa Burr-Bates
The world lost one of my favorite people yesterday. He was an inspiration for so many and a life changer for most. He is a HUGE reason why I became a music/band teacher. He was always so encouraging and was always telling me how proud he was of me, which meant more than he could ever know! Knowing him has meant the world to me! My heart breaks for the loss of this wonderful human, but he will ALWAYS be with me! . Mel Knight... you changed my life, gave me confidence and helped set my path in life.... I’m so glad I was lucky enough to be a part of your musical Legacy! You will be so very missed!
from Jill Rodgers
Many of us in NZ will be so sorry to hear dear Mel Knight is in hospice care. Such fond memories of Mel and Pat in NZ. My favourite memory of all was in Oz at Harmony College in 1993 when he and Jim De Busman and Jim Casey and Ron Black did a rap medley version of the polecats. Hilarious. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears at the time and realised at that moment bbshop could be heaps of fun and not to be taken too seriously. This bari dominant song is another clever one of Mel's. If this is your time Mel, God speed. You and Joe will meet and you'll be with your beloved Pat again. Thank you for all your inspiration and those gorgeous smiles.
from Kat Katamaran
Yes you made a difference in my life. you were so patient as I wrote my Jazz solos and gave me the confidence to play them on stage. you spent countless hours instructing us while always looking so calm and laid back. Band and music was and still is a huge part of my life as I teach my grandaughter how special music can be in our lives
thank you Mel Knight giving me and teaching me one of life's greatest treasures music.
from John Watt
On, my. I’m so sad to hear of Mr. Knight’s passing. If memory serves me, I was in fifth grade at Crowfoot when we started band. He was the teacher. He talked me into switching to the sousaphone in high school. Many times I watched him write music like writing a letter. He was brilliant. Many many great memories of this man. He was, without question my favorite teacher. We stayed in touch until I started my own family. He taught me barbershop too. To his family I send my condolences.
from Brian Easton
I was very fortunate to have had Mel for not only my HS band director, where he was greatly overqualified, but also my BB Shop chorus director from 7th-10th grade. He took one of the smallest choruses (about 30 men and 5 of us boys) and pushed us to our full potential so we just missed placing 2nd against the much larger choruses. Despite my lack of musical ability, I had such great experiences with Mel and music! It was an honor to have spent theses times with him, and I enjoyed hearing about his adventures and accomplishments in music. My heart and prayers are with his family.
from Bev Heineck Dunigan
They say things happen in threes ... first, Don Everly passed away, then yesterday, Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones passed away, and another great musician that most of the world has never heard of, Mel Knight.
Those of us who lived in the Lebanon High School band room were incredibly fortunate to have had him in our lives. Besides getting a roomful of rowdy teenagers to come together to make music, Mel had the ability to write and arrange music "on the fly". I remember watching in awe while he wrote notes on a staff sheet, then sat back and hummed it all in his head, saying "No, that's not right," erasing one or two notes and putting them where they belonged, humming, and nodding in satisfaction. It didn't matter if it was jazz, concert band or barbershop material; he was able to rearrange anything for whomever would be playing. I didn't appreciate until recently how nearly everything on our band concert programs read "arr. M. Knight" nor did I have any idea the scope of the work that entailed. We all took him and his talents for granted.
Mel taught me all sorts of things -- how to mentor someone younger than me, the difference between playing the notes and making the music, how to work with people different from me to reach a common goal, and ... most importantly ... we never EVER let our friends clap on 1 and 3. I will always be grateful to him for that and so much more.
Erin, Tracy, and Cory ... thank you so much for sharing your parents with all of us. I'm holding all of you close in my heart.
from Charles Burtoon
I'm surprised there wasn't a mention of Mel's directing of the "Strawberry City Barbershop Group". It was through that organization that I met Mel, the Dobson Brothers, Eston Way, Ray Hendricks & several others. I was part of the "Pioneer Picnic" annual celebration in Brownsville, procuring entertainment, & asked the Strawberry City Chorus if they would perform. I was told they would..."IF" I would guarantee at least one new member to their group. They gave a great performance, and obtained the one new member....me. It was one of the most enjoyable times of my life, participating in other performances and competitions with the group under Mel's capable directorship. A valuable memory I will cherish for the rest of my life !!
from Susie Jones
Mel Knight brought coolness to the sleepy town of Lebanon. Mel didn't try to be cool, he just was. He would walk down the halls at Lebanon High School, throw his keys in the air and catch them behind his back. We all knew that Mel was cool, and being in band was cool. I didn't really know how extraordinarily talented Mel was until I went on to college and started my own intense study of music. In the early years of "stage band", there were very few published charts, and it wasn't the good stuff that the pro bands were playing. Mel would transcribe the music of Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Don Ellis, and others, and we got to play it. When I went on to college, I started transcribing big band charts and I found out painstakingly hard and time consuming it was. You used vinyl records or maybe cassettes and listened to those passages over and over again, writing the scores note by note, then transferring it to parts. For Mel that meant hours and hours of personal sacrifice so that we could have the very best music to play. Transcribing led to writing his own compositions and many of those were to follow. Mel was a role model for me as I'm sure he was for all the lives he touched.
Who remembers TeePeeing at the Knight house?
from Ralph Sherman
Hi Mr. Knight,
I just now heard of your passing. You affected us in life and do still. This is a message I sent you a while back and it seems fitting now. I am so glad that you read it.
Sorry that it is as long as it is. You didn't have to read it all, but I had to write it.
I thank you for teaching me in LUHS Band, I thank you for your energy and knowledge, the self-discipline you instilled and the sense of accomplishment and fun that resulted.
Playing in the band was the best thing I did in high school, I tell that to students when the subject comes up. Being a part of your band family was an honor and a joy. The way you led us, I remember your voice, with a wisp of raspiness and full of the energy we needed to get us going in the right direction. I appreciate your intensity when you led us and when you played Chicago (I remember you directing us to focus for different sounds and effects) or Blood Sweat and Tears (Symphony for the Devil, Without telling us the title you would say "Do you hear who is talking?") and I remember "marching band practice" when we marched to the park, and I suddenly noticed that you had brought along a softball and a bat! We set down our instruments in the grass and played ball! I didn't see that one coming! But that did for our spirits what music can do. It lifted us and joined us together. And I remember marching and playing, like in Scio when someone in the crowd shot someone in the band with a water pistol and you took off like a rocket to give them a chance to make it right! And I remember that feeling of everyone getting it right in a piece where we had gotten it wrong a lot of times before. "Alright!" And then that certain look in your face that let us know that we got it right. And then a laugh...
I remember your wife and how kind she was to me greeting me at Jerry's Market.(How does she know me? I would think.) And I remember your green TR4, seemingly always just outside the band room door, such a symbol of your focus and zeal. I remember always playing 2nd or 3rd French Horn, just a small part of a big band, and the feeling that came from that, doing my little part , the best I could at the time, of something big. Isn't that life! Contributing in the way in which we are able towards something greater. The band. And I learned a lot of that in your band, Mr. Knight.
And though I don't play an instrument now, though I miss it, I still listen. I listen to the music and break it down, as I would think you would instruct us to, and focus on the rhythm section, or the horns, and appreciate the life behind that singular sound that mixes with others, including the SILENT rests, to moving my soul in the right direction, in connection with the band, with the world and beyond.
I actually got another chance to play French horn at WOU, trying to get out of Elementary Ed Music, 20 years after high school. I explained that I knew "all that stuff" because I had played violin and French Horn. Dr. Sorenson's eyes lit up and he said "Oh good, we need another French horn in the band!" Not what I was expecting. But it was great. And hard. And good. Anyway, what I'm trying to work this around to is that he had heard of you and "our LUHS band", especially the jazz band,( I always wished French horn could have been in jazz band!) I was proud in that moment to be associated with your LUHS band.
But the point. The point is that I appreciate, and am enriched by your teaching and organizing, and proud of from whence I came, Mr. Mel Knight's LUHS Band. Thank you, Mr. Knight.