 He graduated from Crane School of Music in 1930, and led a dance band during the 1930s.He taught for ten years at Franklin Academy in Malone, New York and was a professor of music at Kean University in New Jersey for most of his career.In addition to "The Falcon", Gerrish's better-known works include "Variations on a Burgundian Carol for 3 Recorders", based on the carol Patapan, published in New York by Associated Music Publishers in 1957.