Dade County School System will be bidding a heartfelt farewell to Band Directors Chris and Heather Chance. Two beloved educators who have been a part of the community and school system for the past 15 years.
First arriving from Morristown, TN to begin the Marching Season in the summer of 2008 at Dade, Chris and Heather have worked tirelessly to build a thriving music program at both the high school and middle school levels. Their dedication to their craft and students has been nothing short of remarkable. They have instilled a love of music in countless young people and have helped many to discover talents and passions they never knew they had.
Working with both the Middle and High School band programs, the Chances have spent countless hours teaching students from the moment they first picked up their instrument to the moment they walk the stage at graduation. Their work began with many of these students during their Elementary school years, when the High School bands would come and perform for the younger students. This attempt to plant interest in young hearts has yielded many talented musicians over the years.
Included in their work with both upper level schools are several programs that the Chances have built up over their years of work such as the Marching Wolverines who take the field at almost every football game, both at home and away, the Concert Bands that perform for parents and in the community, the Jazz Band, and several smaller ensembles.
The decision to begin the next chapter of their lives was a difficult one. They shared the following to the Dade County Bands Facebook page:
“…This was one of the hardest decisions of our life! We love our kids here and could not ask for a more supportive and loving school system and community to do the things that we’ve done over the course of 15 wonderful years. This decision was very difficult and was made entirely out of what we felt was best for our family at this time. We are not completely running away! We will still be living in the county, have our own children still in the school system, and will still be cheering on all the Wolverines and Yellow Jackets any chance we get. Thank you again for everything and we will see you soon!”
Dade County High School Principal, Brent Cooper, shared this with the Mountain-Valley Independent,
“I appreciate the effort, time, and overall commitment they have given to our band program. Chris and Heather have represented our school with class and held high expectations for our band students. These are going to be big shoes to fill. The good news is we will have several applicants because of the standard set by the Chances and those who came before them.”
Gabrielle Haston, Chorus Director for the Middle and High Schools also commented on her time working with the Chances.
“It has been an absolute joy to work alongside Chris and Heather Chance for the past fifteen years. Their love for band, our school system, and our community has been apparent every morning they walked into the classroom and every Friday night they walked onto the field.”
Good luck to the Chances and thank you for your years of dedication to the students of our community!
