Kenton Kenny Jarvis Hull Jr.

HULL, Kenton Jarvis, Jr., age 72, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2011 due to a number of illnesses including lung cancer. Preceded in death by his parents, Kenton Jarvis Hull, Sr. and Abbie Laura Coleman Hull; Survived by his wife of 37 years, Sandra Rogillio Hull; brother, William Edward (Jean Marie) Hull, Culleoka, TN; children, Christopher Leslie (Andrea) Hull, Chickamauga, GA, Kenton Jeffrey (Dana) Hull, Hixson, TN and Laura Catherine (Sean) Hull Neal, Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren, Libby, David, Melanie, Scott, Morgan and Kaleb. A native of Sparta, TN, Ken Hull graduated from White County High School in 1956. In 1960, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. Following graduation, Hull returned to Sparta as Band Director at White County High School. In his second year, his band received the only Superior ratings in Marching and Concert performance that White County had ever earned. In the fall of 1962, he moved to Nashville and taught at North High School one year before moving to Two Rivers High School. Over the next eight years, the Two Rivers Band grew to 300 members in grades 7 – 12. The band received consistent superior ratings in marching, concert and sight-reading and won the Tennessee State Marching Championship and the Contest of Champions at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN in 1970. Hull earned his Master of Education degree in Supervision and Administration from Middle Tennessee State University in 1968. In 1971, McGavock High School opened and the next six years brought five consecutive State Marching Band championship trophies. The band also won the Contest of Champions again in 1972 when his band became the only one to ever perform one show in the preliminaries and an entirely different show for the finals. During those six years, the McGavock band placed 96 members in Middle Tennessee Clinic Band and 41 members in All State organizations. The wind ensemble was selected by audition to perform at the M.E.N.C. National Convention in Atlanta, GA in 1972. While teaching at McGavock, Ken was active as a clinician and adjudicator in TN, KY, AR, GA, MS and FL. An excellent clarinetist, he also played saxophone with Owen Bradley’s Dance Band and bass clarinet with the Nashville Symphony. Throughout his band career, he was an active member of the Middle Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association. His honors include the Presidency of Phi Beta Mu, MAC Award in 1976, Bands of America Advisory Board Member from 1975 to 1977 and the National Band Association Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence Award in 1985. While teaching, his bands were invited to perform for various events including the Orange Bowl Parade and The Concert of Spring in Xochimilco, Mexico. Based on his bands’ performances, the McGavock High School Band was invited to march in the Rose Parade in 1978. Hull left teaching in 1977 to work in fund raising with school and youth groups. After a successful twenty-two year career, he retired to his home overlooking the Cumberland River with his wife, Sandy, in Madison, TN. Still respected for musical accomplishments, Ken Hull was inducted into the Tennessee Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 2008 along with his brother, Bill, and good friends, Joe Smith and Tommy Tucker. Last July over two hundred of his former students gathered together to perform a surprise musical tribute in “Mr. Hull’s Opus” style. Sixty-five members picked up their horns and drumsticks to play a few of their favorites and two pieces specifically composed for the occasion by former students. A memorial service will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2011 in Hermitage Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation with the family 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Kenton J. Hull, Jr. Music Education Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 140510, Nashville, TN 37214. HERMITAGE FUNERAL HOME AND MEMORIAL GARDENS, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN 37138. (615) 889-0361.