Chase Minor, an accomplished arts archivist, music educator, and essential logistical architect for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s marching band program, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, in Lakeview, North Carolina. He was 30 years old. Known for his meticulous work in music librarianship and his enduring commitment to North Carolina’s performing arts community, Minor leaves behind a legacy defined by structural innovation in music education and a deep devotion to community enrichment.
Early Life & Education
Born circa 1995 in Moore County, North Carolina, Minor was raised in the tight-knit Sandhills community of Lakeview. He was the son of Kimberly Ezzell Minor and the late Michael Ray Minor, who passed away in 2010. The early loss of his father deeply influenced Minor’s trajectory, instilling in him a profound appreciation for community support and the arts as a stabilizing, unifying force. He grew up alongside his brothers, Cruse Minor and Charlie Ezzell, and his sister, Robin Minor Ring. His familial roots in the region, including the enduring presence of his paternal grandmother, Margaret Behrens Minor, provided a strong foundation of resilience and shared values.
Minor pursued his higher education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte). It was here that he found his professional calling within the university’s Department of Music. Combining a passion for performance with an innate talent for organization, he joined the support staff as the Librarian for the “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band. This demanding role required a synthesis of musical literacy and information science, laying the groundwork for his specialized career in arts administration.
Career Zenith & Contributions
In the highly specialized domain of ensemble librarianship, professionals act as the critical conduit between artistic direction and musical execution. The role demands an advanced understanding of musical notation, copyright law, and archival methodology. During his tenure with the UNC Charlotte band program, Minor revolutionized the ensemble’s archival infrastructure. He was responsible for the complex logistics of acquiring, cataloging, digitizing, and distributing musical scores for hundreds of collegiate musicians.
Minor implemented modern digital cataloging systems that streamlined rehearsals and ensured that custom arrangements, halftime show folios, and historical scores were meticulously preserved. By bridging the gap between the directors’ artistic visions and the practical realities of sheet music distribution, he became an unsung hero of the university’s athletic bands. His methodologies in score preservation and digital distribution established a high standard of operational efficiency, demonstrating how rigorous information management directly elevates the quality of the performing arts.
Leadership & Affiliations
A respected figure in collegiate band administration, Minor collaborated closely with distinguished music educators, including Dr. Brian Taylor, Director of Athletic Bands, and Dr. Hunter Kopczynski, Director of Bands at UNC Charlotte. His authoritative grasp of music administration and logistical planning earned him deep respect among the university’s faculty and the broader North Carolina arts community.
Beyond his immediate duties at the university, Minor was a strong proponent of structured music education. Drawing upon standards set by professional organizations such as the Music Library Association (MLA) and the North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA), he advocated for the modernization of music libraries in local public schools. He utilized his expertise to mentor younger musicians and aspiring archivists, ensuring that the structural backbone of music education remained strong in both Charlotte and his home base of Moore County.
Legacy & Impact
Chase Minor’s impact on the North Carolina arts community is measured not just in the archives he built, but in the seamless performances he quietly orchestrated from behind the scenes. For the thousands of fans who have enjoyed the halftime shows at UNC Charlotte, Minor’s unseen logistical expertise was a critical component of every note played.
To his family, friends, and colleagues in Lakeview and Charlotte, he is remembered as a resilient, brilliant, and compassionate individual who turned personal adversity into a life of service. His contributions to the preservation of musical literature will continue to serve future generations of students and educators, ensuring that the music he helped organize will be played for years to come.
Minor is survived by his mother, Kimberly; his siblings, Cruse, Charlie, and Robin; his extended family; and a statewide network of musicians and educators whose careers he touched. His life stands as a testament to the vital, often unseen work that sustains the cultural and educational institutions of North Carolina.