When I think of Mr. Polk, I think of two things. First, he was one of those rare individuals who was always in charge - no doubt abut that! - but also was a friend. When we entered the band hall, we got our instruments and sat down. We did not start blowing horns indiscriminately. We warmed up when and as he said to. But his discipline was never severe. And we responded. Those people are rare. Then second, he was always after excellence. Just good enough was never good enough. I remember he used to borrow music from much larger schools sometimes because it was often quite difficult and he'd have us sight read it. How many other band directors did that? He encouraged us to try out for Lions Band. You know, recently there was an article in the Clarion Ledger about a kid who made Lions Band and it said he was the first student from Jackson Public Schools to make it is something like SEVEN years! From the whole school system! Shoot, we had some make it every year. And I mean SOME! To his day, Die Meistersinger, Eroica, and Serenata are three of my favorites. Many of us still play instruments today, and have a great knowledge of music, because of his being one of our great teachers.