In memoriam: Jim Clancy
The Barbershop Harmony Society celebrates the life of an all-time great director, arranger, and visionary.
The Barbershop Harmony Society mourns the passing of Jim Clancy, age 87, the legendary Executive Musical Director and founding member of the Dallas-based Vocal Majority chorus. He died on April 16 after a year-long courageous battle with cancer.
A driving force behind the creation of the Vocal Majority in 1971, Jim became its director in 1974 and led the chorus to unprecedented success on the world stage. Under his leadership, the Vocal Majority earned 11 Gold Medals in Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) International Competitions — including an extraordinary run of 10 consecutive wins. This feat stands as a testament to Jim’s visionary artistry and relentless pursuit of excellence. Today, the Vocal Majority holds 13 Gold Medals and is preparing to compete for its 14th this summer, now under the direction of Jim’s son, Greg Clancy.
Reflecting on his father's legacy as the director of one of the most decorated choruses in the world, Greg said, “Vocal Majority is the house that Jim built. We will continue to reflect his musicality and artistry, but more importantly, my dad’s values and commitment to the love of music and performance will live on for generations to come.”
Jim was also an accomplished arranger, crafting more than 400 songs for the Vocal Majority. His arrangements have been performed by vocal ensembles, barbershop choruses, and barbershop quartets across the globe, leaving a lasting mark on generations of performers.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Judy; son, Greg, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer; step-son K.C. Odom and wife Yuka; his daughter-in-law Genelle Clancy, his grandchildren, McCaa Clancy, Jack Clancy, Liz Walker, Michael Clancy, and Meredith Cox; four great grandchildren; and brother Phillip Clancy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Martha, son, Dave, and sister Jane Debenport.
Celebration of Life: A message from the Vocal Majority
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support following the passing of our beloved Executive Musical Director, Jim Clancy. Your heartfelt messages, emails, and social media tributes have meant the world to us, and we are profoundly moved by the many personal stories and expressions of love shared in his honor.
The Celebration of Life is open to the public and will be held on Monday, May 5, at 2:00 pm. at White’s Chapel Methodist Church, 185 S. White Chapel Blvd., Southlake, Texas 76092.
Many have inquired about the possibility of live streaming the upcoming Celebration of Life. While the service will not be live streamed, it will be video recorded and made available a few days following the event.
In lieu of flowers, the Clancy family kindly invites those who wish to honor Jim’s legacy to consider a contribution to the Jim Clancy Memorial, established by The VM Music Company, Inc. This memorial will support the ongoing work of the Vocal Majority, reflecting Jim’s lifelong passion for music and excellence. Donations can be made at VocalMajority.com/donate.