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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