Douglas D. Amman

In 1972, after earning his doctorate in Choral Conducting at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, Doug and his wife, Jean, with two young boys (Mark and Kirk) in tow, embarked on their next adventure–a move to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the position of Director of Choral Activities at Northern Michigan University. Ten memorable years followed with the opportunity to direct the university’s Arts Chorale, which took three European tours and was chosen by blind audition to sing for both regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). A highlight was performing at the St. Moritz Choral Festivals with guest conductors Neville Marriner and Robert Shaw.

Doug took great pride, too, in the Marquette Choral Society, including up to 140 singers, some of whom drove long distances in the U.P. to participate. In addition, he formed the U.P. Select Honors Choir and encouraged high school singers to come to NMU for rehearsals on Saturdays while supporting choral music in their schools. Son Drew and daughters Jill, Gwen, and Joyce joined the family during those years, and friendships, both personal and professional from the time at NMU, continued throughout Doug’s life. The family left behind them many memories of days and evenings filled with song. Their lives were richer because they lived in Marquette.

In 1982 Doug accepted the position of Director of Choral Activities at Ball State University (BSU) in Muncie, Indiana. He continued to take his groups to many states and on international tours. There were also invited performances at regional and national professional conventions. In 1996 he was honored with Ball State University’s Outstanding Creative Endeavor Award, and in 2001 he was invited to return to Marquette to accept the Upper Peninsula Choral Award.

For 49 of his 53-year career, he directed local church choirs, including nine years at Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette, five years at Beechmont Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, five years at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Muncie, Indiana, and almost 25 years at College Avenue United Methodist Church, the latter on the edge of the Ball State campus. He worked to elevate music within churches not only to enhance the worship experience but also to express his own Christian faith and challenge others toward greater Christian outreach. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, he formed a choir called the Indiana Choral Connection, which went to New Orleans to help with rebuilding, doing manual labor during the day and concertizing at night. He firmly believed that musicians should not sit in their little offices and studios but take music to “the people.”

In fact, he was known as a “people person.” One of his colleagues recently remarked, “Doug was the most inclusive person I have ever met–long before it became fashionable. He genuinely wanted to interact with everyone with whom he came in contact.” Today there are literally hundreds of former students from NMU and BSU who “are doing just that” as graduate students, public school teachers, college and university choral conductors, and directors of community choruses and church choirs.

But, of course, there is also the family that he dearly loved. It would take reams of paper to sum him up as a husband and father and grandfather. Everywhere he went, he would proudly tell of his 61-year-old marriage, his six children, and eighteen grandchildren. One time he gazed at them at a family gathering, turned to Jean, and said, “I can’t believe we produced this batch!” Stories about Dad and Grandpa will continue because of his humor. His youngest grandchild will always remember “Silly Grandpa.”

Doug, or D.A. as many students still call him, is survived by his wife, Jean (White) Amman; children Mark (Jennifer) Amman; Kirk (Lynae) Amman; Jill Amman Lafferty (Ronald); Drew (Jamie) Amman; Gwen Amman Burns (Terry); and Joyce Kindt (Charles). The 18 grandchildren are Cassi and Chelsea Amman; Alanah, Anyah, Kaeson, and Arianah Amman; Mitchell, Olivia, Caroline, and James Lafferty; Jane Amman; Grady and Hannah Burns; Sarah Kindt Coates (Michael), and Vivianne, Douglas, Matthew, and Janae Kindt. Also surviving are Doug’s sister Rebecca Amman Schaver (Allen), his brother Paul Amman, (Sue), and many nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by son Bret Jason Amman and his parents, Lester Wilson Amman and Alice Irene Spinsby Amman.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Community of Hope United Methodist Church, 1968 W. Main Street, Muncie, IN. Interment will follow services at Jones Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at Community of Hope United Methodist Church, 1968 W Main Street, Muncie, IN on Friday, February 2, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and also on Saturday, February 3, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice.

The Meeks Mortuary, 415 E. Washington Street, Muncie, IN, 47305 is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.