The community of Cleveland freelance musicians and advocates for new music lost a treasured colleague and friend on Friday, November 19, 2010 when harpist Jocelyn Chang passed away at the age of 59.
Jocelyn performed in many contexts with her husband, flutist and composer Michael Leese, and was a longtime member of the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. An obituary by Donald Rosenberg was published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on November 24. A memorial concert will be held in Waetjen Auditorium at Cleveland State University on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm.
We invite Jocelyn’s many colleagues and friends to post a memory or a tribute by leaving a comment here (click on the link above). At Michael Leese’s request, memorial donations may be made to the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, c/o The Music Settlement, 11125 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106.
The following images were provided by Steve Eva from a photo shoot with the Chagrin Studio Orchestra at Christmas, 2008. The organizers of the memorial concert are creating a slideshow. If you would like to contribute an image, please see the comment below for details.
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10 comments
November 26, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Guytano Parks
Jocelyn Chang, a spiritual soul whose love and enthusiasm for music was infectious, brought joy to all who knew her. Whether performing, teaching or conversing, she inspired and enlightened; I felt honored to know her. I met Jocelyn in early 1980 and we performed together at a DIFFA Heartstrings benefit at Playhouse Square in the early 1990’s. Throughout the years, I enjoyed seeing and chatting with her at many musical and social events. Her passing is truly a loss for the musical community as well as for those of us whose lives she touched.
November 29, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Andy Call
Jocelyn was a dear friend and a generous soul. I remember the first time we worked together about ten years ago. She invited me to stop by the house (always an interesting experience) to rehearse. Her commitment to making good music far exceeded her concern about time passing. She was a beloved part of our extended family at Westlake United Methodist Church, having performed here as a soloist or part of an ensemble numerous times. Her departure from us leaves a palpable musical and spiritual vacuum.
November 30, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Mary Kay Ferguson
Jocelyn will be greatly missed…her hard work, fortitude, and commitment to CCS and new music were unparalleled. Her beautiful and generous spirit will live on in all who knew her…
November 30, 2010 at 5:12 pm
RIP Jocelyn Chang « The Quick and the Dead
I saw Michael at a sort of memorial dinner a bunch of us had at Bo Loong Sunday night, and he seems to be holding up pretty well, considering.
December 1, 2010 at 1:29 am
Pat Noonan Knox
There will never be another like Jocelyn. A devoted friend like no other, a Harp Mother to her students, she personified musical fire with precision and metronomic integrity in her performance artistry whether solo, duo, or ensemble, and in the last half of her life melded into one with Michael Leese as yin and yang cannot be separated. And yet death has come between them. Make no mistake, Jocelyn lived and died on her own terms. She fiercely protected her family’s right to privacy. The music community can honor Jocelyn by honoring Michael, as she would expect us to. Jocelyn championed many artistic causes in the Cleveland music world, most passionately the new music inspired by Cleveland Chamber Symphony. May the music of her soul live on in all of us left to carry on her legacy. Peace, Joy. You lived so well that you will never be forgotten.
December 2, 2010 at 9:03 am
ktlam1955
Jocelyn or Joy as she was known in my family was my cousin and the big sister that I never had. I’m going to miss her. 😦
December 6, 2010 at 11:46 am
Janice Makinen
Jocelyn was an amazing inspiration, an exceptional musician, and a irreplaceable mentor to both my sister and I. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten!
Janice Makinen
December 11, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Margie Kierstead
I knew Jocelyn back in the early 70’s when she was a student at CIM, where I worked and played violin in the orchestra. I knew all of the harpists there, as I had studied harp for a year with Arlene Wangler at Kent.
I deeply regret that I never had a chance to see her after I returned to Ohio.
Although only today did I see pictures of her recently, I still have a fresh image of her at that young age – her long black hair, her spirit, and her dedication. One summer we both ushered at the CO concerts at Blossom, and when we saw each other afterwards, we would get into discussions. I remember one was heated, as we both had strong opinions…
I offer condolences to her husband, family, and the musical community of NE Ohio. I will continue to remember this spritely yet graceful woman the way I’ve remembered her already.
Margie Kierstead
January 5, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Penny
The Jocelyn Chang Memorial Concert will be held on Sunday, January 23rd at Cleveland State University’s Waetjen Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Please feel free to spread the word about this event, as there were so many who knew and loved Jocelyn.
The organizers are currently creating a slideshow of photos of Jocelyn. If you have any photos you would care to share, please feel free to email them to Alice Moore Allen as jpg or tif files.
January 17, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Denise and family
Jocelyn Chang will always rank as one of the five most incredible people I’ve met in my lifetime. Jocelyn was brilliant, talented, generous, compassionate and witty. She was tireless, passionate, and loyal.
For those of us who had Jocelyn as a friend — we were truly blessed.
My family and I displayed a large, framed photo of Jocelyn at our holiday gatherings this year. We acknowledged Jocelyn in our prayer of thanks before dinner on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her harp music filled our homes as we played the holiday CD that she and husband Michael recorded.
I and my family will keep this spirited, loving woman in our hearts for the rest of our years. When we see a harp, we will see Jocelyn. When we hear spellbinding harp music, we will hear Jocelyn.
Until we meet again, Jocelyn, may the dear Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michael, mother Molly, and the Chang Leese families.