Oklahoma Musicians

Bryan County

Musical history, people, ensembles, photographs, and source material from the Oklahoma Musicians Library.

The musical history of Bryan County.

The strongest verified pre-2000 evidence located in this pass is a Durant High School band program documented in the 1978 and 1980 yearbooks. The 1978 volume identifies a Durant High School Concert Band directed by Don Gilmore, a Stage Band directed by Steve Weaver, a band officer group, an All-District group, a named All-State qualifier, and a large photographed concert-band roster. It reports superior ratings at district marching and concert contests and a state sweepstakes result at Stillwater. The same volume calls the stage band “best in state,” although the precise contest and governing organization are not identified in the OCR. (high)

Read the county history →

Read the full account, chronology, named ensembles and people, source links, and research notes. These library reports reflect their original research passes; related records below may add later evidence.

Explore the county collection

15 linked records. Connections follow county names and communities documented in the sources; they do not establish a birthplace, exact historical boundary, or continuous residence.

Photographs and visual sources.

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Lara Hoggard - Director Durant Mixed Chorus"
[Photograph 2012.201.B0260B.0330]Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Lara Hoggard - Director Durant Mixed Chorus"Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "Dr. Howard H. Rye, chairman of the music department resigned to accept a similar position at Illinois State Normal University, President A.E. Shearer at Southeastern State College, has said."
[Photograph 2012.201.B1142.0183]Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "Dr. Howard H. Rye, chairman of the music department resigned to accept a similar position at Illinois State Normal University, President A.E. Shearer at Southeastern State College, has said."Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
The Bennington Tribune reports that young men organized the Bennington Cornet Band, elected officers and a steering committee, and planned to obtain instruments and a teacher.
Bennington Cornet BandThe Bennington Tribune reports that young men organized the Bennington Cornet Band, elected officers and a steering committee, and planned to obtain instruments and a teacher.Community and Municipal Bands · Original source
Ensemble

Caddo Cornet Band

Active by August 24, 1894; formation intent reported in 1876