If you were a Hennessey High School choral student, maybe football or basketball player, or even a local church minister, then chances are you’ve been in one of the six musicals directed by Beth Berkenbile.

If you were a student you know her better as Mrs. B.

Same goes for her Kingfisher choral students in her earlier teaching years.

She has now retired, but not before family and friends throw her a retirement banquet. It’s this Saturday (June 5) at 4 p.m. in the Hennessey Event Center.

Former students, parents, friends, choral supporters and fellow teachers over her 23-year teaching career are invited, said Jimmy, her husband of 35 years.

The catered dinner will be served at no charge and includes special entertainment, and dress is “casual” for “the family fun” event, he said.

Their children, all HHS graduates, will host the banquet: Summer Munroe (2000), Joseph (2006), and Autumn Blackburn (2008). The Berkenbile’s five grandchildren are: Ethan and Clare Munroe; Joland and Jabel Berkenbile, and Silas Blackburn.

Musicals directed

Although Mrs. B has never been in a musical, she has directed almost 400 singers and actors in these six HHS musicals: 2006, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (48-member cast); 2007, Oklahoma (62); 2009, The Sound of Music (89); 2012, Footloose (49); 2014, Disney’s HS Musical (72), and 2016, a reprise of Seven Bries for Seven Brothers (56).

“The first musical was chosen because it was my all-time favorite, and I had seven singing boys!” she said. “It just made sense because in most schools the girls outnumber the boys five to one in choir. The brothers had to be in choir, but the suitors were ‘invited’ by the brothers.”

Although she had talented students, she said those musicals wouldn’t have ever come off without the help of her husband, and Jack Quirk, her friend who’s like a brother. Those two have designed and built the sets, as well as worked on sound issues.

Daughter Autumn is the third key player for the success of the musicals.

“She’s what’s known as a triple threat: she can sing gorgeously, act with no limits, and dance like no one.” Not only did she choreograph the musicals but “she has a ridiculous memory for words, which is my weakness.”

Favorite song/singers

She doesn’t have an all-time favorite song, but her favorite to sing is “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

“But honestly, I love singing any song that’s spot-on appropriate for the occasion.”

She can’t pinpoint her favorite singer, “but I’ve always loved Karen Carpenter, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and all for different reasons.

“Music has always been a part of my life,” Beth said. “Mom liked to tell about me standing in the crib mimicking her vocalizing while she practiced for her voice lessons.”

Her family of seven sang together, mostly in church-related events, she said, because her father was a minister.

Mrs. B’s teachers

School was her “happy place,” she said because these teachers “helped me see the joy in teaching: Velma Tinch, Debbie and Larry Hays, Marjorie (Ma) Anderson, and Roy Willis.

Mrs. B became a certified vocal music teacher in 1998, and her first class was at Kingfisher Public Schools.

She taught in Kingfisher through 2002, then returned to HPS as vocal music director in 2003.

She was a music assistant and accompanist at HPS 1983-97; gave private piano lessons 1974-93, and choir director at the Hennessey First Christian Church 1995-06.

The 1975 HHS grad majored in piano performance at Johnson Bible College, Knoxville, Tenn. 1975-77, attended Phillips University, Enid, 1983, and Dallas Christian College, 1996-98 where she graduated with a BS in ministry and leadership/music education.

Her choir “kids” auditioned and were invited to perform at the Oklahoma City Arts Festival, won honors at Tri-State and other music festivals, plus state and district competitions.

Mrs. B has also won many awards for singing, teaching (Teacher of the Year, Art’s Council, Governor’s Award, Who’s Who, and more), and her students have not only participated in many competitions, but she has also coordinated music festivals, and chaired state and regional competitions.

Students as teachers, performers

2003 KHS grad Lindsey Jech was in Mrs. B’s class all five years she taught at Kingfisher.

“She accompanied some of the younger choirs, and I could tell music really fulfilled her, but music was not her major that first semester at OSU.

“I got a letter from her just before Christmas telling me she was changing her major to music education. She taught music at Dover a couple of years, then her third year of teaching was at Chisholm, and she has been there ever since.

“She is a dynamic music teacher, and I’ve always told her I want to be like her when I grow up.”

2015 HHS grad Tristan Hill studied and graduated with a music theatre degree from UCO, she said.

“Last I knew he was still pursuing his goal of acting in NYC.

“I always believed he had the grit and talent to make his dream come true.”

2009 HHS grad Ashlynn Streck was in the fifth grade when Mrs. B started to work with her.

“I was teaching in Kingfisher but assisted the then-Hennessey teacher with auditions for Children’s All State Chorus. Ashlynn made All-State choirs every year from fifth grade through her senior year, and also carried major leading roles in two of the three musicals while in high school.”

She said Ashlynn studied music education and voice at Oklahoma Baptist University, and recently got her masters from the University of Oklahoma.

“Ashlynn began teaching in a Norman elementary school and has moved to Casady School in Oklahoma City.

“Ashlynn and Lindsey are both leading teachers in music education in Oklahoma, so I feel I’ve left the state in good hands.”

Why early retirement?

“The short answer: my health,” she said. “My battle with breast cancer began in August 2018. The chemo pill I will be taking for another 2 ¹/₂ years make daily routines more of a struggle.”

Beth said she realized, with the help of her daughters, that her health was more important, and “I admitted it’s time to move over and let someone else provide music education.

“One of my favorite things to teach and live by, especially during a musical and/or trip year is: If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, that’s unacceptable.

“In an odd way my retirement, my career, and my health are mirrored in those words.”