Mr. Gene Roland Poston

Musician and educator, master mentor and contract bridge aficionado, Gene Roland Poston died on August 19, 2012. Born to Herman H. and Zella Martin Poston in Monterey, Tennessee, on July 21, 1928, Gene moved to Indianapolis with his family in 1940, graduating from Arsenal Technical High School. A desire to pursue a career in music education led him to Indiana University, where he was active in Chamber Singers, Singing Hoosiers, and symphonic band, and Drum Major of the Marching Hundred; he was inducted into both the national music honorary organization Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the national band honorary Kappa Kappa Psi.

Gene began his career teaching music theory and choral music at Shortridge High School and instrumental music in six elementary schools. His career was interrupted in 1952 by the Korean Conflict where he served as Troop Information and Education Officer. At the end of his stint, he established a school in Seoul that provided instruction in basic education and the arts for U.S. military personnel.

He began teaching at Broad Ripple High School in 1954 as director of choral activities and in 1960 was appointed Chairman of the Music Department and Director of Productions. While at BRHS, he spent three summers in Manhattan, earning his MA at Columbia University and conducting both the summer session chorus and orchestra.

Gene was also chairman of choral activities for the 1979 North Central Division Convention of MENC; represented the North Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association on the National High School Committee on Standards and Repertoire; was president and financial secretary of the Indiana State Choral Festival Association; served as president of and advisor to the Indiana Choral Directors Association; taught at the I.U. High School Choral Clinic and was conductor of the Clinic Chamber Choir; served as adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor for high school and college choral competitions and festivals as far away as Alaska; was associated with the Bishop Luers Swing Choir Contest; was instrumental in the organization of the Indiana All-State Choir; and was associate conductor of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. In 1997, the Indiana Music Educators Association awarded him their highest honor: Hoosier Musician of the Year.

1In 1980 Gene became Director of Choral Activities at Ball State University, retiring in 1982. He renewed his interest in community theater as director productions at Civic Theatre, Footlight Musicals, and CTS Repertoire Theater. He also became Music Director and conductor of the Indianapolis Community Choir. In 1986, he was appointed Music Advisor for the Grand Opening of the renovated Union Station; in 1987, he served as Music Advisor for the Pan American Games and Olympic Festival. In 2007, BRHS Golden Singers alumni, organized by William Schumacher and Jim Jansen, celebrated Gene with a Grand Reunion Tribute and established the Gene R. Poston Legacy Foundation to enhance music education and commemorate his impact on his students' lives. That same year, Governor Mitch Daniels proclaimed Gene Distinguished Hoosier of 2007. In August 2011, the Indianapolis School Board voted unanimously to name the BRHS auditorium The Gene R. Poston Auditorium.

While studying in New York, Gene met his life partner, art educator Lloyd Huyser. They were together for 52 years until separated by Lloyd's death in 2009. Gene's sister Betty Ann Poston Rolf also preceded him in death. Gene is survived by her children, nephew David D. Rolf II and niece Sharon Lynn Rolf.