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Former, current choir students honor retiring Darryl Dockery at "Big Blue Review"

The Butler County High School Choir presented its Big Blue Review and spring concert on Sunday, May 6 at Morgantown Community Church.  It was a special event as students from past and present came out to honor Mr. Darryl Dockery ,who will be retiring this year after 28 years of service in education.

Russell Givens introduced several past students that performed different songs in honor of Dockery.  Givens, Jon Likens, Kirk Johnson, and Derek Lawrence all performed different music from artists such as Badfinger, Steve Miller Band, and Foster and Lloyd.   Each told how each song was in reference to something about Dockery.  

Dan Hudnall sang a Kentucky Headhunter’s song and told the crowd that Dockery was the first person that he ever played with in a choir, quartet, and band. Hudnall stated, “What really counts is when you have a child that comes back 20 years later and tells you that you have made a difference.  That is success.  Darryl, you have truly obtained success and we thank you.”  

Mike Hunt from the acapella group “The Penny Loafers” referred to Dockery as “an older brother, a mentor, and a spiritual leader.” 

Darren Parrish, a former student of Dockery’s, performed “Long Way Home” by Steven Kerr Chapman and said, “I would not know how to read music, sing, or be able to contribute to my church if it wasn't for Darryl Dockery.” 

Dockery made several performances through the afternoon. He performed “Bobby McGee” with Lydia Murphy, one of his current students. Murphy commented, “Mr. Dockery makes me want to be a better person, and it was quite the honor to be able to sing with him.” Dockery also performed an Elvis song and the gospel hymn “How Great Thou Art” before singing “Wind Beneath My Wings” as a tribute to his wife and all she has done for him through the years.

Three current seniors, Raven Brooks, Chelsea Deel, and Tessa Hudson, presented Dockery with three gifts.  They gave him a toilet seat in honor of his hall pass, a gray tray that said, “Shut up and Sing," and coffee and mugs in honor of his coffee addiction.  Brooks said, “He’s like my second father, my mentor, and I love him dearly.  He’s family.”

The choir performed several songs, some of which they sang at Carnegie Hall last spring.  Past students were given an opportunity to join the choir and sing with Dockery conducting. Dockery conducted one song in memory of all students that he has lost over the years and told the crowd to “go home and kiss your babies.” Paula Clark and Mandy Staples Logsdon played the piano as the choir sang.

The concert ended with Dockery saying a few words. He thanked Butler County for his job.  Dockery said, “If done right and if a music educator has the right backing, if you live here in Butler County, we can teach you to play a horn or sing a song.” He said, “It was so wonderful having all my students to come back. I hope the music continues in Butler County because the kids here are so rich in talent. It’s our greatest natural resource.”

 

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Story and photos by Carissa Poston, Beech Tree News.  

 

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Comments

Darryl Dockery is synonymous with my memories of time spent while I lived in Morgantown and attended Butler County High School. Best of luck to you in your retirement.
Sorry that I missed Mr. Dockery's last concert and retirement send off. I knew Mr. Dockery as a band director. He took the band when it was in a tough position and built it back up again. He taught me much more than how to "play a horn." And to Mr. Dockery I would like to echo a prayer he said before every performance, "Thank you for the gift. Thank you for the opportunity."
Ive known Darryl alot of years he has always been an inspiration to me and best man in my wedding, his Mom and Dad were the best treated me like a son and kicked my butt when i needed it these were some of the best times in my life Love you Brother ,Enjoy
I'm sorry that I had to miss this final farewell to Mr. Dockery. I am glad, however, that I did get to take my son to his final Christmas Concert at Aberdeen last year. It brought back lots of great memories. Chorus was always my favorite class in high school. It was a great time. I'll always remember starting class each day by beating the backs of the person to our left, then our right, with Mr. Dockery jokingly telling us to beat the Marlboros out before we started singing....lol....and doing warm up scales declaring that "She leaves no soot on the floor" with passersby going down the hall looking in with great confusion. Haha. I will always remember the concerts and performances that we rocked, and even the ones we didn't do so great at with fond memories, as well as getting to go to Murray State on overnight. Mr. Dockery was a wonderful teacher. Something you always knew would happen going into his class was that we were going to sing, laugh, have a good time, and learn something. I do regret that my son, who is in middle school, will not have the chance to sing for Mr. Dockery. He is going to continue the legacy (my brother and I both were in chorus five years), and he will join chorus one day, but I just pray that he has as good a time as we did. Mr. Dockery is going to be pretty hard to top. : ) Sherry Kirby BCHS Chorus Student (1989-1994)
What a great day! Playing music with your friends and honoring the man that has touched many peoples lives with music. Thank you Bro. D!!!
Thanks for the investment you made in youth of Butler County. Best wishes in your retirement!
Congrats Darryl. Thanks for all the contributions you have made to our hometown and the children of Butler County. God Bless You in your retirement and your future endeavors.
Darryl and I came to Butler Co. and met on the very first day of High School. He moved from Louisville and I had moved from Illinois. We had come from different places but had a common connection...music! We both played in band and sang in chorus. We even played in a little band in the very first Green River Catfish Festival. From the very first moment you meet Darryl Dockery you have a met life long friend. I have lived outside BC for many years now but I have continued to read and hear comments from many of his students about the amazing affect he has had on their lives. Teaching is the most noble of all professions and Darryl is among the greats! I wish you well in whatever your future brings for I know it will defintely affect someones life in a positive way. My only regret is not being able to be there to shake your hand and deliver the sentiments in person. Best Wishes my friend.


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