ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Tuesday, the Escanaba City Band paid tribute to the life and legacy of one of its own.
Local musician and Army veteran John Roderick Chown died on November 9 at the age of 95. He worked as director of the Escanaba Area Public Schools band programs for more than 30 years, impacting the lives of thousands of students.
At Chown’s visitation service, some of his former students joined the City Band to perform “Old Comrades” in his honor.
“The City Band has a tradition of playing for members that have passed away,” said Band Director Bruce Cassell. “John Chown was not any member.”
City Band members and former students said their emotional goodbyes to Chown after the performance. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday at Bethany Lutheran Church.
