Dr. A. C. "Cheesey" Voran

While I joined the Choir the year after Cheesy's retirement (and had the privilege of working with Bill Ballard and Will Andress), Cheesy stepped in for several weeks during my Choir tenure to assist the new director. As I wrote him afterward, "Now I know what everyone has been raving about." I still have the lovely note he wrote me in return.

We met 47 years ago singing in the choir under Cheesy's direction so he is a special part of our memories. Five Dobies sang with him and we still "tear up" when we play the video of the choir's 50th reunion. So long, good friend.
Jim and Wanda Allen Dobie
Class of 1956

It is with a heavy heart that I am dealing with the news of Cheesy's passing on to the great Choir of Angels in the Heavens. My first year in the Centenary Choir was Cheesy's last year. I am so glad I was able to have that time under his leadership. I didn't "make" the choir my freshman year at Centenary, but I was a "sing-in" and was there for every rehearsal. It was during that year that Cheesy taught me so much about voice. I was so blessed that he was willing to give me a chance by...

My head and heart our flooded with memories. My years under Cheesey's guidance were such happy times. His high expectations of us were a driving force to do and be our best. Camp, tours, Easter sunrise, eight or nine television productions a year, chapel services, and daily rehearsals all contributed to an enormous amount of growth and learning within a loving and supportive community. We were a family and I treasure my time with him and his expertise. Thank you, Cheesey, for everything. The...

Condolences from Centenary College of Louisiana

Life's philosophies were the mainstay of the Choir, '67-71. Cheesey always had a bit of wisdom to pass along--even written on a tiny tearoff pad before a concert. He taught his ideas on life in a memorable way. He was the best teacher I ever had in the way that he could explain and then "pull out" what he wanted us to give him musically. He was a friend, too. Thank you, Voran family, for sharing him with us.

I never knew Cheesy personally, but I thoroughly enjoyed his weekly phone calls to the office of the President at Centenary College. The stories he would tell about how the choir began and their trips around the world were wonderful. He loved to reminisce and I enjoyed just listening. He touched my life in such a short time and I can not imagine the great number of people that will miss him and what he represented. God Bless you Cheesy.

When I was approximately 3 years old (1960), "Cheesey" came to our house on Drexel St and gave me toy John Deere tractor. William, my 16 year old son, now has the tractor and will pass it on. I cannot express how influential "Cheesey" is to our family.

Cheesy will never fully know the full impact he had on my life. God holds him in God's hands, and I will see Cheesy again one day. ([email protected])