Holding up a copy of the “new teacher” article in The Imperial Republican in 1971, Randy Hayes and wife Margene were applauded by a full school auditorium. (Johnson Publications photo)
An estimated 90 current and former show choir singers who Hayes has directed over the years returned for the May 10 finale. Hayes directed them in the evening’s final number, “The Way Old Friends Do.” (Johnson Publications photo)
“Proud Mary” has been a popular staple in the repertoire of the 9th St. Singers over the years. This year’s show choir version was no different. (Johnson Publications photo)
Randy Hayes given musical farewell
An emotional night hardly describes the 9th St. Singers’ Grand Finale May 10 held at Chase County Schools.
The show the night before CCS graduation is an annual event, but this year’s was special as it was Randy Hayes’ final “finale” for his high school show choir.
Hayes is retiring after 36 years at Chase County Schools as vocal music director for junior high and high school students.
To show their appreciation, about 90 current show choir members and alumni of the group gathered on stage for the night’s last song, “The Way Old Friends Do.”
That last song has been a staple in this end-of-school-year show.
When Hayes began teaching at Chase County again in 1991, he discovered a week-long show choir camp near Estes Park, Colorado and began taking students to it. At the end of that week each year, camp directors had all the students sing this song as a closing for the week.
“It was always a very emotional close to the week. When the camp ended in 1999, I decided to continue the tradition here at CCS and have done so to this time,” he said.
At the end of the show, as he looked out into the crowd, Hayes said he knew many in the audience, considering his first year here was 1971.
Mentioning he has received awards over the years, without great students and parents “a director is just a director,” he said.
“I loved working with all of you,” he told the students and alumni on stage.
“Tonight’s been hard.”
Hayes said that’s what he’ll miss the most—watching young people (and old) sing.
“Music is something you can do all of your life if you choose to,” he said.
“Music is the voice of the soul.”
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