More than 100 students and faculty attended a memorial service for Asa Clinch last Friday in Hamilton Recital Hall in the Newman Performing Arts Center. Clinch was found dead in his dorm room on Sept. 25.Among those in attendance were Clinch’s parents, cousins, aunt, uncle, teachers and many friends. Clinch was a sophomore in the Lamont School of Music where he played in a saxophone quartet and in a jazz and wind ensemble.In a moving speech, Clinch’s father Steve said, “Asa made good choices his whole life except for two weeks ago when he made the worst choice by taking his own life. I have to believe though that God looks at the big picture not just single events. The last five minutes will not define Asa’s life.”Steve Clinch recalled his son’s childhood dream of pursuing Tae Kwon Do which was soon changed to saxophone lessons. “Asa was an intense young man. I don’t envy him being a perfectionist in an imperfect world,” said Clinch’s father. “He experienced the highest of highs and in turn, the lowest of lows.”In addition to poignant remarks by loved ones, students honored Asa through musical tributes. A jazz trio opened the ceremony followed by remarks from members of the administration. Members of the saxophone quartet in which Clinch participated, then performed Andante from “Andante and Scherzetto.”Fellow saxophonist Mark Halberstadt spoke, quoting Mark Twain. Halberstadt said that Clinch reminded him of the famous characters Twain created in his novels, particularly Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. The diversity of speakers made for an emotional service that elicited tears and laughter in an effort to remember Clinch justly. Although many mourners wept, those attending were also able to smile when remembering Clinch’s personality. F. Joseph Docksey, director of the Lamont School of Music, noted that students had approached him about raising funds to dedicate a practice room in Clinch’s memory. He was enthusiastic about making this a reality.”It’s so sad to lose someone whose heart was the biggest part of his body,” said Docksey. The high attendance at the memorial was a tribute to how well liked Clinch was by not only his family, but also the music community. Jo Calhoun, associate provost of Student Life urged everyone to remember Clinch’s “short but beautiful life.”Counselors and staff members are available for students seeking help coping with Clinch’s death. The Denver Medical Examiners Office performed an autopsy, but results are still yet to be released.