Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”.
Jul 10, 2026 • Last updated 3 days ago •
The trio of Sue Dobie, Joan Satchelle, and Sheila Ryerse will join 27 other former Simcoe Composite School choir members for the group’s 60th anniversary reunion show on July 30. Photo by Jacob Robinson
Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”.
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During his time as Simcoe Composite School music director, Alex Docherty did just that.
A lot of folks affectionately called him Doc. Now his former choir students are gathering for their big reunion this summer.
“It’s the legacy that Doc left us, and we want to honour that,” said Sue Dobie, who used to sing in the choir.
One of Dobie’s favorite memories of Docherty happened just before they were about to perform at the Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival with over 106 members in tow.
“Doc was all about expression – you don’t want to have a down face,” Dobie remembered. “We all got up on stage and I’ll never forget his face; he looked like a clown. He put on this huge frown and we laughed out loud. He just knew how to get everyone smiling so quickly. He was brilliant – he could make any group sound good.”
Dobie has kept singing in choirs ever since then. She isn’t alone; many students found their passion for music continued beyond high school. Another organizer, Sheila Ryerse, went on to lead music programs at a university in St. Louis, MO.
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“What I appreciated was that he recognized my interest in music and my ability and gave me the freedom and responsibility that not all choir directors give,” Ryerse shared. “The field of music is pretty competitive and sometimes leaders don’t want to give up control; not so with him. He was very encouraging.”
The group has met twice since graduating from SCS – once in 1982 and again eleven years later during the school’s centennial celebration. During those gatherings they fondly recalled their experiences performing abroad.
“It was always Doc’s dream to take the choir back to Scotland where he grew up,” Dobie explained. “That was what drove us; without his vision none of this would have come together. The whole school and community rallied behind it.”
The fundraising took two years but eventually they raised $40,000 which allowed them to send around 100 members along with 26 chaperones on an unforgettable three-week trip through England, Scotland and Wales in 1965. They even recorded an album to help finance it!
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“It really showed how involved our community could be,” Ryerse remarked.
“The bonds formed during such trips are unlike anything else you experience in class-you’re together every single day.”
The community stepped up again when Docherty fell ill right before their trip; Lansing Mac Dowell-a music inspector for Ontario schools-filled in as director during performances while townsfolk raised enough money for Docherty and his doctor to attend one performance at Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod.
“It was incredibly intense,” noted Joan Satchelle who is also organizing the reunion alongside her sister Ryerse.” It felt exhilarating too!”
Satchelle had a serendipitous encounter while living in Meaford when she ran into another former choir member which led her back into contact with Dobie and another singer from SCS-sparking ideas about having this reunion.
“We chatted away for four hours sharing stories-and thought ‘wouldn’t it be great if we had a reunion?’” Dobie reminisced.
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Sue said initially she thought they’d gather maybe ten or twelve people-but then she saw overwhelming interest! Satchelle confirmed attendance from thirty alumni already.
Dobie,
Satchelle,
and Ryerse have been meeting weekly since fall planning everything out together.
I’m overjoyed,” exclaimed Dobie as tears filled her eyes.“So many people I’ve called would burst into song from something we performed sixty-one years ago or say ‘I can’t wait-it’s going be so much fun.’ I can’t wait myself; I’m thrilled! It feels like I’ve been experiencing this reunion since last October!”
The concert is set for July thirtieth at Colborne Village United Church located in Simcoe starting at three p. m.
Even though Docherty sadly passed away shortly after returning home from Canada post-1965 tour-his impact lingers today.
“He influenced each one of us,” said dobey “This event is our small way of showing appreciation towards him-and thanking Simcoe because they supported us throughout.”
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