After 28 years at The University of Memphis, band director Sidney McKay decided it was time to step down from his duties. After going through a quintuple bypass surgery, McKay realized that he needed a rest.
“I’m 65-years-old, and I’ve taught for 44 years,” McKay said. “That’s enough. I’m fine, but there’s a lot of stress. We’re expected to do a lot.”
This was not an easy decision for McKay, but overall he felt that it was the right thing to do.
“I have been at the University of Memphis since the fall of 1975,” McKay. “I’ll miss the students that I’ve worked with the most, along with the people from the basketball and football programs.”
McKay, who will be retiring next spring, started his teaching career 44 years ago in Greenville, Miss., where he taught for five years. He then moved to Baton Rogue, LA where he taught at Istrouma High. After a brief stint in Louisiana, he returned to Greenville for seven years and taught at a middle school. One year later, he moved again to teach at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. He taught at The University of Southern Mississippi for one year before coming to the U of M. He has also spent the last 16 years with the River City Concert Band, a band primarily for adult band members with a few U of M students. McKay said when he came to The University, the music program was only a department. Now, it is a school of music.
“He is the person most responsible for the success and achievement of the band organization here,” said Nick Holland, the associate band director. “He’s not just a nationally recognized band director. He’s funny, student oriented and a great person.”
He has many fond memories of The U of M, including trips to Paris, London and the Netherlands. McKay is also known for playing an instrumental role in keeping the annual marching band competition alive at the University when it was in danger of ending. He also played a part in the high school honor band program.
“It’s a program that began 11 years ago,” McKay said. “It’s for the recruitment of high school band students. They come up here for a couple of days in February. We then audition and sign them.”
McKay said he is not leaving the University for good.
“I’m working on coming back and teaching a couple of classes,” said McKay. “I’m not cutting all ties to The U of M.”
McKay said he has had some great experiences here at the University.
“We’ve had some outstanding concerts, nice trips, and outstanding soloists,” said McKay. “I hate that we have not been to a bowl game, but hopefully we will in the future. I’m being optimistic.”
