January 16, 2019

Guitar instructor Chas Evans, who also serves as chair of the Division of Fine Arts, was recently selected East Central Community College’s “Humanities Instructor of the Year” and will be recognized Tuesday, March 12, 2019, on the Decatur campus.

Evans will present a special program beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Vickers Fine Arts Center auditorium. During his presentation titled “Song Anatomy,” Evans will discuss the art of songwriting and popular music in general. He will present the formulas, tropes, and methods in songwriting, from the lyrics and music through production and mastering, which he says will hopefully unlock the secrets to writing a hit song.

Evans is a native of Chunky and a graduate of Newton County High School. He studied guitar under the late Tom Carson of Decatur. He received his Associate of Arts in music from East Central Community College and completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was instructed by Professor Giovanni De Chiaro.

He has been the recipient of various awards, including first place at the 1999 Mississippi Music Teacher Association guitar competition and runner up in the 2000 Pine Belt Guitar Symposium.

He has participated as a guest judge in the Mississippi Music Teacher Association Guitar Competition and at the Pinebelt Guitar Symposium where he has given master classes for the competitors.  

He has performed as a member of the Mississippi Guitar Quartet, and was recorded on the group’s album "Soundscapes," which was published through Centaur Records. In 2006, he and the Mississippi Guitar Quartet were honored to perform selected works from their “Soundscapes” album at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

In 2012, Evans released his debut solo album “Mississippi Sounds,” featuring pieces inspired by the state’s heritage and scenery. “Mississippi Sounds” is available now for purchase on iTunes and on his website www.chasevansguitarist.com

Evans has served as a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard and was deployed in Operation Noble Eagle in Washington, D.C., and Operation New Dawn in Baghdad, Iraq. 

He and his wife, Laura, reside in Decatur and have two children, Katie and Chas Michael. 

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