George W. Edwards, 60, formerly of Chattanooga, died May 28, 2009 in Houston, Tx.
He was a 1966 graduate of Riverside High School.
He is survived by his son, Charles-Thomas Cooke, mother, Beulah Edwards, sisters, Chryll Edwards and Laura "Donnie" Edwards.
Funeral services will be on Friday, June 5, at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Tx.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The George Edwards Memorial Band Scholarship, Prairie View A&M University P.O. Box 519, MS. 1200 Prairie View, Tx. 77446.
Arrangements are being handled by Rylan Scott Funeral Services,1250 Texas Parkway, Stafford, Texas 77477. Courtesy announcement is by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995.
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George Washington Edwards, known as "Prof" was the nationally renowned Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University for 31 years until his death. He was from Chattanooga, Tennessee and completed his education at Florida A&M University in Tallahasse, Florida. While at FAMU, Edwards played as part of the famed Marching 100, performing under the legendary Dr. William P. Foster, where he received a number of distinctive awards and opportunities; some of which were his selection as Student Arranger, the Outstanding Senior Award, and having his arrangements played by the Marching 100 at Super Bowl III. Edwards went on to complete his Master's degree at Michigan State University with many of his marching band arrangements performed and recorded by the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band. After joining PVAMU in 1978 and becoming its Director of Bands, Professor Edwards took the struggling marching band of 25 known as the "Marching Storm", and helped them become a world-renowned, first-class composition of musical athletes. Through Professor Edwards's direction, the Marching Storm became the first marching band to debut its drumline, known as the McFunk B.O.X., in a showstyle half-time event at the football games. Professor Edwards incorporated some of the FAMU concepts of innovative formations of fast-stepping, while adding unique framing, drum-routines, and their majorettes, the Black Foxes, to creating a half-time show that provided the "Storm" with national recognition and their pick of the best of the best high school band members from across the nation. Skyrocketing to national acclaim, the Storm performed, appeared, or were featured as part of the following activities: (2001) performed at President George W. Bush's inaugural parade in Washington D.C.; (2004) the Marching Storm and Black Foxes were featured in the Black College Band Exhibition, "And the Band Played On," which was seen by more than 30,000 at the Dallas Museum of African-American History; (2004) the PVAMU Drum Line, "The Box" and the "Black Foxes", were featured performers with Beyonce at the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game; (2004-2007) featured in the Dallas Weekly Urban Sports News; (2004) featured on numerous occassions in the Dallas Morning News; (2005) featured in British Broadcasting New Radio Special, "Marching All Together"; (2005) featured in "The Times"; (2006) the band performed at the Essence Music Festival in Houston; (2006) invited to perform at the Macy's Day Parade (a lifelong goal of Professor Edwards), but were unable to raise the $400,000 necessary for the trip to New York City; (2007) featured article and video in the New York Times, "The Box" was flown to Los Angeles for a command performance for executives from Honda Corporation and the Tournament of Roses Parade; (2008) the Marching Storm Band and the Black Foxes performed at the Texas A&M University-University of Miami football game at Kyle Field in College Station and received overwhelming accolades fro ESPN television commentators; (2009) Edwards led the "Storm" in the 20th Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., where they were the first Black College Band to perform in the Rose Bowl's Parade pilot program to include bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the parade each year. Professor Edwards was an innovator who was dedicated, committed, and passionate about music and its performance. He was demanding of his band members to ensure they achieved their maximum potential as performers, students, and as people; was a surrogate parent to many of his students; and will remain in history as one of the top college band directors. Upon his death from injuries sustained in an automible accident on May 28, 2009. Over 3,000 people including former students, colleagues, family and friends, and numerous band students attended the public funeral services for Edwards on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 11:00 am held at the William J. "Billy" Nicks Field House on the campus of Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas being officiated by Rev. Carl Lewter, dean of the Johnson-Phillips All/Faiths Chapel; following the 3-hour long funeral service, Edwards was buried at the Prairie View A&M University Cemetery later that afternoon.
He was a 1966 graduate of Riverside High School.
He is survived by his son, Charles-Thomas Cooke, mother, Beulah Edwards, sisters, Chryll Edwards and Laura "Donnie" Edwards.
Funeral services will be on Friday, June 5, at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Tx.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The George Edwards Memorial Band Scholarship, Prairie View A&M University P.O. Box 519, MS. 1200 Prairie View, Tx. 77446.
Arrangements are being handled by Rylan Scott Funeral Services,1250 Texas Parkway, Stafford, Texas 77477. Courtesy announcement is by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995.
---------
George Washington Edwards, known as "Prof" was the nationally renowned Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University for 31 years until his death. He was from Chattanooga, Tennessee and completed his education at Florida A&M University in Tallahasse, Florida. While at FAMU, Edwards played as part of the famed Marching 100, performing under the legendary Dr. William P. Foster, where he received a number of distinctive awards and opportunities; some of which were his selection as Student Arranger, the Outstanding Senior Award, and having his arrangements played by the Marching 100 at Super Bowl III. Edwards went on to complete his Master's degree at Michigan State University with many of his marching band arrangements performed and recorded by the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band. After joining PVAMU in 1978 and becoming its Director of Bands, Professor Edwards took the struggling marching band of 25 known as the "Marching Storm", and helped them become a world-renowned, first-class composition of musical athletes. Through Professor Edwards's direction, the Marching Storm became the first marching band to debut its drumline, known as the McFunk B.O.X., in a showstyle half-time event at the football games. Professor Edwards incorporated some of the FAMU concepts of innovative formations of fast-stepping, while adding unique framing, drum-routines, and their majorettes, the Black Foxes, to creating a half-time show that provided the "Storm" with national recognition and their pick of the best of the best high school band members from across the nation. Skyrocketing to national acclaim, the Storm performed, appeared, or were featured as part of the following activities: (2001) performed at President George W. Bush's inaugural parade in Washington D.C.; (2004) the Marching Storm and Black Foxes were featured in the Black College Band Exhibition, "And the Band Played On," which was seen by more than 30,000 at the Dallas Museum of African-American History; (2004) the PVAMU Drum Line, "The Box" and the "Black Foxes", were featured performers with Beyonce at the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game; (2004-2007) featured in the Dallas Weekly Urban Sports News; (2004) featured on numerous occassions in the Dallas Morning News; (2005) featured in British Broadcasting New Radio Special, "Marching All Together"; (2005) featured in "The Times"; (2006) the band performed at the Essence Music Festival in Houston; (2006) invited to perform at the Macy's Day Parade (a lifelong goal of Professor Edwards), but were unable to raise the $400,000 necessary for the trip to New York City; (2007) featured article and video in the New York Times, "The Box" was flown to Los Angeles for a command performance for executives from Honda Corporation and the Tournament of Roses Parade; (2008) the Marching Storm Band and the Black Foxes performed at the Texas A&M University-University of Miami football game at Kyle Field in College Station and received overwhelming accolades fro ESPN television commentators; (2009) Edwards led the "Storm" in the 20th Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., where they were the first Black College Band to perform in the Rose Bowl's Parade pilot program to include bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the parade each year. Professor Edwards was an innovator who was dedicated, committed, and passionate about music and its performance. He was demanding of his band members to ensure they achieved their maximum potential as performers, students, and as people; was a surrogate parent to many of his students; and will remain in history as one of the top college band directors. Upon his death from injuries sustained in an automible accident on May 28, 2009. Over 3,000 people including former students, colleagues, family and friends, and numerous band students attended the public funeral services for Edwards on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 11:00 am held at the William J. "Billy" Nicks Field House on the campus of Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas being officiated by Rev. Carl Lewter, dean of the Johnson-Phillips All/Faiths Chapel; following the 3-hour long funeral service, Edwards was buried at the Prairie View A&M University Cemetery later that afternoon.
George W. Edwards, 60, formerly of Chattanooga, died May 28, 2009 in Houston, Tx.
He was a 1966 graduate of Riverside High School.
He is survived by his son, Charles-Thomas Cooke, mother, Beulah Edwards, sisters, Chryll Edwards and Laura "Donnie" Edwards.
Funeral services will be on Friday, June 5, at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Tx.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The George Edwards Memorial Band Scholarship, Prairie View A&M University P.O. Box 519, MS. 1200 Prairie View, Tx. 77446.
Arrangements are being handled by Rylan Scott Funeral Services,1250 Texas Parkway, Stafford, Texas 77477. Courtesy announcement is by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995.
---------
George Washington Edwards, known as "Prof" was the nationally renowned Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University for 31 years until his death. He was from Chattanooga, Tennessee and completed his education at Florida A&M University in Tallahasse, Florida. While at FAMU, Edwards played as part of the famed Marching 100, performing under the legendary Dr. William P. Foster, where he received a number of distinctive awards and opportunities; some of which were his selection as Student Arranger, the Outstanding Senior Award, and having his arrangements played by the Marching 100 at Super Bowl III. Edwards went on to complete his Master's degree at Michigan State University with many of his marching band arrangements performed and recorded by the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band. After joining PVAMU in 1978 and becoming its Director of Bands, Professor Edwards took the struggling marching band of 25 known as the "Marching Storm", and helped them become a world-renowned, first-class composition of musical athletes. Through Professor Edwards's direction, the Marching Storm became the first marching band to debut its drumline, known as the McFunk B.O.X., in a showstyle half-time event at the football games. Professor Edwards incorporated some of the FAMU concepts of innovative formations of fast-stepping, while adding unique framing, drum-routines, and their majorettes, the Black Foxes, to creating a half-time show that provided the "Storm" with national recognition and their pick of the best of the best high school band members from across the nation. Skyrocketing to national acclaim, the Storm performed, appeared, or were featured as part of the following activities: (2001) performed at President George W. Bush's inaugural parade in Washington D.C.; (2004) the Marching Storm and Black Foxes were featured in the Black College Band Exhibition, "And the Band Played On," which was seen by more than 30,000 at the Dallas Museum of African-American History; (2004) the PVAMU Drum Line, "The Box" and the "Black Foxes", were featured performers with Beyonce at the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game; (2004-2007) featured in the Dallas Weekly Urban Sports News; (2004) featured on numerous occassions in the Dallas Morning News; (2005) featured in British Broadcasting New Radio Special, "Marching All Together"; (2005) featured in "The Times"; (2006) the band performed at the Essence Music Festival in Houston; (2006) invited to perform at the Macy's Day Parade (a lifelong goal of Professor Edwards), but were unable to raise the $400,000 necessary for the trip to New York City; (2007) featured article and video in the New York Times, "The Box" was flown to Los Angeles for a command performance for executives from Honda Corporation and the Tournament of Roses Parade; (2008) the Marching Storm Band and the Black Foxes performed at the Texas A&M University-University of Miami football game at Kyle Field in College Station and received overwhelming accolades fro ESPN television commentators; (2009) Edwards led the "Storm" in the 20th Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., where they were the first Black College Band to perform in the Rose Bowl's Parade pilot program to include bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the parade each year. Professor Edwards was an innovator who was dedicated, committed, and passionate about music and its performance. He was demanding of his band members to ensure they achieved their maximum potential as performers, students, and as people; was a surrogate parent to many of his students; and will remain in history as one of the top college band directors. Upon his death from injuries sustained in an automible accident on May 28, 2009. Over 3,000 people including former students, colleagues, family and friends, and numerous band students attended the public funeral services for Edwards on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 11:00 am held at the William J. "Billy" Nicks Field House on the campus of Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas being officiated by Rev. Carl Lewter, dean of the Johnson-Phillips All/Faiths Chapel; following the 3-hour long funeral service, Edwards was buried at the Prairie View A&M University Cemetery later that afternoon.
He was a 1966 graduate of Riverside High School.
He is survived by his son, Charles-Thomas Cooke, mother, Beulah Edwards, sisters, Chryll Edwards and Laura "Donnie" Edwards.
Funeral services will be on Friday, June 5, at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Tx.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The George Edwards Memorial Band Scholarship, Prairie View A&M University P.O. Box 519, MS. 1200 Prairie View, Tx. 77446.
Arrangements are being handled by Rylan Scott Funeral Services,1250 Texas Parkway, Stafford, Texas 77477. Courtesy announcement is by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995.
---------
George Washington Edwards, known as "Prof" was the nationally renowned Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University for 31 years until his death. He was from Chattanooga, Tennessee and completed his education at Florida A&M University in Tallahasse, Florida. While at FAMU, Edwards played as part of the famed Marching 100, performing under the legendary Dr. William P. Foster, where he received a number of distinctive awards and opportunities; some of which were his selection as Student Arranger, the Outstanding Senior Award, and having his arrangements played by the Marching 100 at Super Bowl III. Edwards went on to complete his Master's degree at Michigan State University with many of his marching band arrangements performed and recorded by the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band. After joining PVAMU in 1978 and becoming its Director of Bands, Professor Edwards took the struggling marching band of 25 known as the "Marching Storm", and helped them become a world-renowned, first-class composition of musical athletes. Through Professor Edwards's direction, the Marching Storm became the first marching band to debut its drumline, known as the McFunk B.O.X., in a showstyle half-time event at the football games. Professor Edwards incorporated some of the FAMU concepts of innovative formations of fast-stepping, while adding unique framing, drum-routines, and their majorettes, the Black Foxes, to creating a half-time show that provided the "Storm" with national recognition and their pick of the best of the best high school band members from across the nation. Skyrocketing to national acclaim, the Storm performed, appeared, or were featured as part of the following activities: (2001) performed at President George W. Bush's inaugural parade in Washington D.C.; (2004) the Marching Storm and Black Foxes were featured in the Black College Band Exhibition, "And the Band Played On," which was seen by more than 30,000 at the Dallas Museum of African-American History; (2004) the PVAMU Drum Line, "The Box" and the "Black Foxes", were featured performers with Beyonce at the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game; (2004-2007) featured in the Dallas Weekly Urban Sports News; (2004) featured on numerous occassions in the Dallas Morning News; (2005) featured in British Broadcasting New Radio Special, "Marching All Together"; (2005) featured in "The Times"; (2006) the band performed at the Essence Music Festival in Houston; (2006) invited to perform at the Macy's Day Parade (a lifelong goal of Professor Edwards), but were unable to raise the $400,000 necessary for the trip to New York City; (2007) featured article and video in the New York Times, "The Box" was flown to Los Angeles for a command performance for executives from Honda Corporation and the Tournament of Roses Parade; (2008) the Marching Storm Band and the Black Foxes performed at the Texas A&M University-University of Miami football game at Kyle Field in College Station and received overwhelming accolades fro ESPN television commentators; (2009) Edwards led the "Storm" in the 20th Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., where they were the first Black College Band to perform in the Rose Bowl's Parade pilot program to include bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the parade each year. Professor Edwards was an innovator who was dedicated, committed, and passionate about music and its performance. He was demanding of his band members to ensure they achieved their maximum potential as performers, students, and as people; was a surrogate parent to many of his students; and will remain in history as one of the top college band directors. Upon his death from injuries sustained in an automible accident on May 28, 2009. Over 3,000 people including former students, colleagues, family and friends, and numerous band students attended the public funeral services for Edwards on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 11:00 am held at the William J. "Billy" Nicks Field House on the campus of Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas being officiated by Rev. Carl Lewter, dean of the Johnson-Phillips All/Faiths Chapel; following the 3-hour long funeral service, Edwards was buried at the Prairie View A&M University Cemetery later that afternoon.
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