Leroy Edward Lane

Leroy Edward Lane, age 75, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away in his home on September 27, 2019. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Monday, September 30, 2019, in the chapel at Northview Church; 12900 Hazel Dell Pkwy; Carmel, IN 46033.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riverside Junior High School Band, (10910 Eller Road; Fishers, IN 46038; Attn: Mr. Matt Harrod, with “band donation” noted) where he taught low brass instruments to beginning band students from 2007 to 2015, following his retirement from regular classroom teaching.

Leroy was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 21, 1944, to Elijah Edward and Geneva Pearl Vandeventer Lane. He is survived by his wife, Fran, of almost 53 years; two sons, Michael (Beth) of Bonita, California, and Matthew (Lorena) of Carmel, Indiana; two grandsons, Jonah Lane and Elijah Lane, of Carmel, Indiana; sister, Reta (Leon) Steely of Avon, Indiana; and brother, Mel (Janie) Lane of Elletsville, Indiana.

He is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music where he obtained a double major in tuba performance and music education.  His post baccalaureate education continued at the University of Michigan and San Diego State University.

He played under the direction of many of the world’s finest conductors and teachers. Attending five summers at the Interlochen National Music Camp, he studied tuba under Rex Conner and, as a member of the camp orchestra, was honored to play at the White House for President John F. Kennedy. As first chair tuba with the University of Michigan Symphony and Marching Bands, he played under the direction of Dr. William D. Revelli and Mr. George R. Cavender and studied tuba with Abe Torchinsky, formerly of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

He felt honored to have played under famed composers and arrangers including Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Robert Russell Bennett, Eugene Ormandy, Vincent Persichetti, Vittorio Giannini, Norman dello Joio, Frederick Fennell, A. Clyde Roller, Jerry Bilik, and world renowned pianist Van Cliburn.

Prior to moving to Indiana in 2006, he served as band director in middle and secondary schools in Michigan and California as well as Adjunct Professor at Western Michigan University and Point Loma Nazarene University. Before retiring from public school teaching, he received the San Diego City School David Paul Schuchman award for the Outstanding Secondary Music Teacher of 2005 and the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary International for outstanding leadership in teaching in the San Diego area in 2004.

While teaching, he served seven years as band director for the Livingston County Concert Band in Michigan and played principal tuba for thirteen years in the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra in San Diego as well as guest player in several bands and orchestras in that area. After moving to Indiana, he played tuba and served as Associate Director of the Indianapolis Municipal Band from 2007 to 2016. He also played tuba in the New Horizons Band from 2006 to 2018.

During most of his teaching career, he simultaneously served as Minister of Music in churches in Michigan and California, directing choirs and orchestras on Sundays and producing semi-annual weekend musical productions.

While his playing and conducting career was cut short after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, his legacy lives on in the lives of his family, friends, and students. He was a man who loved God, his family, and music and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.