By: Shelby Lentz

After over 30 years of teaching, Keith Cahoon has resigned as Plainwell High School’s choir director.

Cahoon has had many successful years putting on a number of shows including cabarets, musicals, and collage performances. As Cahoon’s journey as a choir director ends, his new journey of retirement begins.

“My retirement plans are to be flying to Europe in September,” Cahoon begins, “after Europe I would like to be a park ranger in a national park out west or lead tours in New York City.”

After all of the accomplishments and traditions Cahoon has instilled not only in the school, but in the community, the new choir director, Denise Beauchamp, will have a lot to live up to.

Beauchamp was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Before accepting her job at PHS, Beauchamp was a junior high school choir director along with music exploratory teacher in the Chicago suburbs.

At an early age, Beauchamp developed a strong love for music when she began to play the piano in first grade. Now, Beauchamp has combined her musical passion and talents to turn her hobby into a successful career.

“I directed the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choirs, jazz choirs, and taught all general music classes,” says Beauchamp. “In addition, I have directed several musical productions, both at my junior high school and other local theater companies in and around the Chicago-land area.”

Beauchamp was one of 45 applicants for Cahoon’s job. With her strong performance during her interview and teaching evaluation, it was no surprise that she was offered the job.

“Mrs. Beauchamp was excellent in her instructional delivery, preparation, and content knowledge,” says Principal Jeremy Wright. “She was well-prepared and did an excellent job of working with and creating a rapport with the concert choir in a short amount of time.”

Students and Beauchamp both were excited upon hearing the news.

“I liked her style of teaching,” says Haley Betts ‘15. “I’m looking forward to a fresh start and learning in a new way.”

“When Dr. Wright called me to offer me the position, I knew within seconds that PHS was where I wanted to be!” exclaims Beauchamp. “I immediately accepted the offer, then called my husband and screamed into the phone about how excited I was to be joining PHS!”

Cahoon may be retiring, but he will never be gone. Even long after Cahoon is done touring the world or directing tours in the east, his legacy will still live on throughout the students and choir program at Plainwell High School.

“As the new choir director at Plainwell High School, I hope to continue and honor all of the traditions and excellent characteristics already within the PHS choral department,” Beauchamp begins, “then I hope to take all of the great things already happening in PHS and work with all of YOU to raise the bar to the next level – to become even better at what we’re already doing!”

Although Beauchamp’s position is still pending on the approval of the school board, students are looking forward to working with her in the fall.