"How many of you have been conducted by George Parks?"
"How many of you were taught by him in Band Camp?"
"Drum Major Academy?".
"Taught in any way?"
"How many have not had him has a teacher?"

"How many have not met George Parks?"



When was the last time that you heard of people attending a memorial service for someone that they have never met?


A Collection of George N Parks' Starred Thoughts:

1. Your band director is always right 2. If your band director is wrong, refer to number one
Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
If at first you don't succeed, FAKE IT!!!
Common sense isn't very common.
When there are ten or more people gathered together in a group, they cease to have a brain.
Teaching is much harder than you think.
If you fail to plan, plan to fail.
Anyone can make a mistake.
Don't let your squad get the giggles. If they do, stop them!
In life you must take care of yourself.
If you march to the beat of a different drummer, you're probably out of step, so FIX IT!!
The Ultimate Job is to create music.
There is no real excuse for anything.
There is no such thing as a problem, only an opportunity to test your creativity.
Treat your people well and put your heart into it, and it's amazing where you'll go.
Do or do not, there is no try.

* You are at your best when things are at their worst.*

When over 11,500 people have joined a Memorial group
When over 925 alumni come back to celebrate homecoming weekend
When those 925 bring the grand total to over 1,200 people on the field
When you are the number one search on google and yahoo for a day
When a girl in Ohio who knew you for three days breaks down and cries when she found out
When a stadium of 110,000 people is moved by the performance of the band you left behind
When that band continues on in your legacy ([link])
When for the rest of our lives, we will be filled with sadness when we here the song "My Way" ([link])


That is the mark of a man who had energy, enthusiasm, and excellence, and will be sorely missed