During Doug McCause's years at Canyon High School, he led the CHS choirs to Sweepstakes and 1st Division awards at UIL, Greater Southwest Music Festival, and at least a dozen regional and national choral competitions and festivals from Texas, to Washington State, to New York City. Doug spent hundreds of hours in the choir room before school, after school and in the evening, teaching and coaching his students as they prepared for solo and ensemble contests, All-Region choir auditions and scholarship auditions. In partnership with Dave Yirak, Doug produced and directed twenty-five All-School Musicals and firmly established Canyon High's reputation as home to the best high school musical theatre produced each year in the Panhandle.
Apart from the statistics, it was Doug's ability to inspire and support his students that makes him stand out in his field. Doug's choir room had a warm, supportive, family home quality that offered a haven to many students over the years.
Cody Cosmic, CHS Class of 1996: "I was a sophomore when he (Mr. McCause) arrived to salvage a demoralized choir. He jumped right in and worked tirelessly to revitalize the choir. He also instantly won our hearts by contributing as the music director of our beloved annual musical. Mr. McCause taught us that it was possible to be both disciplined and light-hearted. He also taught us that it was possible to have integrity and not lose cool points."
Kim Word Miller, CHS Class of 1979: "To say that choir and his (Mr. McCause's) mentoring/encouragement became one of the anchors...through my young life would be an understatement. That eighth grade year was pivotal, in that I found that I had a teacher who fully believed in me - poured his efforts in to helping me reach my goals - and discovered a love for singing that is as natural to me as breathing."
Julie Brantly Petruccione, CHS Class of 1973: "I first met Doug McCause the summer I was thirteen when Doug cam eto Canyon to begin workin gas an accompanist for my father at "TEXAS" rehearsals. That summer was the beginning of Doug's adventures in music edcuation his long and fruitful relationship with my dad. Dad was an ideal teacher and musical mentor, and I believe that Doug chose Dad to emulate in his own career as a music educator. Doug was the student teacher in the Canyon High choir room during my junior year at CHS, and even then, it was obvious that he had a way with young people."
