William Gerald Polk, Sr., of Hampton, entered into God's eternal Kingdom on High August 12 after an extended illness and a truly courageous battle.
Gerald was the son of the late William Elliot Polk & Gwendolyn Kearse Polk.
Many will remember Mr. Polk for performing in popular South Carolina Beach Bands such as "The Melody Makers", "First Act", Swinging Medallions", "The Riviaras", and most recently, "East Coast Party Band." "East Coast Party Band" is renowned up and down the east coast! His son, Jerry, is still a proud member and drummer for the band.
Mr. Polk attended Hampton County Schools, graduated from Wade Hampton High School where he arranged the Alma Mater, written by Robert Causey, then Superintendent of Hampton County Schools. He won a music scholarship to Newberry College, where he was active in The Newberry College Singers, Newberry Jazz Band, Concert Band and Dance Band. While at Newberry College, was awarded the President's Award for his outstanding accomplishments in the music program. He taught elementary school and high school band throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina for over 30 years and had award winning bands at Wade Hampton High School, Walterboro High School, Hanahan High School, Bamberg High School and John C. Calhoun Academy, (now Colleton Prep) in Walterboro. Unfortunately, in the mid-1980's, after little more than a decade, the school decided the band was no longer needed and athletics were more important so it was disbanded. John C. Calhoun Academy lost a little something with the ending of that band - a band that was a state champion and had won top honors and awards.
In the 1960's, he along with area band directors, established the Edisto Conference Band Clinic where students from various schools auditioned to be able to participate in the three day clinic. He started the first band program at John C. Calhoun Academy in Walterboro, winning first place for the Marching Band in 1978 and 1979. This was the first and only time a private academy in South Carolina was 1st place winner in the State Marching Competition in South Carolina.
He was also instrumental in arranging music scholarships for his most promising band students, many of whom went on to become music teachers, professional musicians, and a member of the United States Air Force Band.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Caryl Cantelmo Polk; daughter, Sheryl (Sherri) P. Wilson and husband, Andrew M. Wilson, Sr. of Simpsonville, SC; son, William Gerald (Jerry) Polk, Jr. and wife, Sandra M. Polk of Walterboro, SC; grandchildren, Lauren Paige Wilson, Andrew Michael Wilson, Jr., Ashlyn Kate Polk and Brandon Tyler Polk.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and also his many special musician friends and the MANY, MANY students he taught a special love of music to.
~ The world's greatest band director! ~
Gerald was the son of the late William Elliot Polk & Gwendolyn Kearse Polk.
Many will remember Mr. Polk for performing in popular South Carolina Beach Bands such as "The Melody Makers", "First Act", Swinging Medallions", "The Riviaras", and most recently, "East Coast Party Band." "East Coast Party Band" is renowned up and down the east coast! His son, Jerry, is still a proud member and drummer for the band.
Mr. Polk attended Hampton County Schools, graduated from Wade Hampton High School where he arranged the Alma Mater, written by Robert Causey, then Superintendent of Hampton County Schools. He won a music scholarship to Newberry College, where he was active in The Newberry College Singers, Newberry Jazz Band, Concert Band and Dance Band. While at Newberry College, was awarded the President's Award for his outstanding accomplishments in the music program. He taught elementary school and high school band throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina for over 30 years and had award winning bands at Wade Hampton High School, Walterboro High School, Hanahan High School, Bamberg High School and John C. Calhoun Academy, (now Colleton Prep) in Walterboro. Unfortunately, in the mid-1980's, after little more than a decade, the school decided the band was no longer needed and athletics were more important so it was disbanded. John C. Calhoun Academy lost a little something with the ending of that band - a band that was a state champion and had won top honors and awards.
In the 1960's, he along with area band directors, established the Edisto Conference Band Clinic where students from various schools auditioned to be able to participate in the three day clinic. He started the first band program at John C. Calhoun Academy in Walterboro, winning first place for the Marching Band in 1978 and 1979. This was the first and only time a private academy in South Carolina was 1st place winner in the State Marching Competition in South Carolina.
He was also instrumental in arranging music scholarships for his most promising band students, many of whom went on to become music teachers, professional musicians, and a member of the United States Air Force Band.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Caryl Cantelmo Polk; daughter, Sheryl (Sherri) P. Wilson and husband, Andrew M. Wilson, Sr. of Simpsonville, SC; son, William Gerald (Jerry) Polk, Jr. and wife, Sandra M. Polk of Walterboro, SC; grandchildren, Lauren Paige Wilson, Andrew Michael Wilson, Jr., Ashlyn Kate Polk and Brandon Tyler Polk.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and also his many special musician friends and the MANY, MANY students he taught a special love of music to.
~ The world's greatest band director! ~
William Gerald Polk, Sr., of Hampton, entered into God's eternal Kingdom on High August 12 after an extended illness and a truly courageous battle.
Gerald was the son of the late William Elliot Polk & Gwendolyn Kearse Polk.
Many will remember Mr. Polk for performing in popular South Carolina Beach Bands such as "The Melody Makers", "First Act", Swinging Medallions", "The Riviaras", and most recently, "East Coast Party Band." "East Coast Party Band" is renowned up and down the east coast! His son, Jerry, is still a proud member and drummer for the band.
Mr. Polk attended Hampton County Schools, graduated from Wade Hampton High School where he arranged the Alma Mater, written by Robert Causey, then Superintendent of Hampton County Schools. He won a music scholarship to Newberry College, where he was active in The Newberry College Singers, Newberry Jazz Band, Concert Band and Dance Band. While at Newberry College, was awarded the President's Award for his outstanding accomplishments in the music program. He taught elementary school and high school band throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina for over 30 years and had award winning bands at Wade Hampton High School, Walterboro High School, Hanahan High School, Bamberg High School and John C. Calhoun Academy, (now Colleton Prep) in Walterboro. Unfortunately, in the mid-1980's, after little more than a decade, the school decided the band was no longer needed and athletics were more important so it was disbanded. John C. Calhoun Academy lost a little something with the ending of that band - a band that was a state champion and had won top honors and awards.
In the 1960's, he along with area band directors, established the Edisto Conference Band Clinic where students from various schools auditioned to be able to participate in the three day clinic. He started the first band program at John C. Calhoun Academy in Walterboro, winning first place for the Marching Band in 1978 and 1979. This was the first and only time a private academy in South Carolina was 1st place winner in the State Marching Competition in South Carolina.
He was also instrumental in arranging music scholarships for his most promising band students, many of whom went on to become music teachers, professional musicians, and a member of the United States Air Force Band.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Caryl Cantelmo Polk; daughter, Sheryl (Sherri) P. Wilson and husband, Andrew M. Wilson, Sr. of Simpsonville, SC; son, William Gerald (Jerry) Polk, Jr. and wife, Sandra M. Polk of Walterboro, SC; grandchildren, Lauren Paige Wilson, Andrew Michael Wilson, Jr., Ashlyn Kate Polk and Brandon Tyler Polk.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and also his many special musician friends and the MANY, MANY students he taught a special love of music to.
~ The world's greatest band director! ~
Gerald was the son of the late William Elliot Polk & Gwendolyn Kearse Polk.
Many will remember Mr. Polk for performing in popular South Carolina Beach Bands such as "The Melody Makers", "First Act", Swinging Medallions", "The Riviaras", and most recently, "East Coast Party Band." "East Coast Party Band" is renowned up and down the east coast! His son, Jerry, is still a proud member and drummer for the band.
Mr. Polk attended Hampton County Schools, graduated from Wade Hampton High School where he arranged the Alma Mater, written by Robert Causey, then Superintendent of Hampton County Schools. He won a music scholarship to Newberry College, where he was active in The Newberry College Singers, Newberry Jazz Band, Concert Band and Dance Band. While at Newberry College, was awarded the President's Award for his outstanding accomplishments in the music program. He taught elementary school and high school band throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina for over 30 years and had award winning bands at Wade Hampton High School, Walterboro High School, Hanahan High School, Bamberg High School and John C. Calhoun Academy, (now Colleton Prep) in Walterboro. Unfortunately, in the mid-1980's, after little more than a decade, the school decided the band was no longer needed and athletics were more important so it was disbanded. John C. Calhoun Academy lost a little something with the ending of that band - a band that was a state champion and had won top honors and awards.
In the 1960's, he along with area band directors, established the Edisto Conference Band Clinic where students from various schools auditioned to be able to participate in the three day clinic. He started the first band program at John C. Calhoun Academy in Walterboro, winning first place for the Marching Band in 1978 and 1979. This was the first and only time a private academy in South Carolina was 1st place winner in the State Marching Competition in South Carolina.
He was also instrumental in arranging music scholarships for his most promising band students, many of whom went on to become music teachers, professional musicians, and a member of the United States Air Force Band.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Caryl Cantelmo Polk; daughter, Sheryl (Sherri) P. Wilson and husband, Andrew M. Wilson, Sr. of Simpsonville, SC; son, William Gerald (Jerry) Polk, Jr. and wife, Sandra M. Polk of Walterboro, SC; grandchildren, Lauren Paige Wilson, Andrew Michael Wilson, Jr., Ashlyn Kate Polk and Brandon Tyler Polk.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and also his many special musician friends and the MANY, MANY students he taught a special love of music to.
~ The world's greatest band director! ~
