Oklahoma Musicians

Oklahoma County

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

The musical history of Oklahoma County.

Oklahoma County contains one of the strongest documented band histories in the state. The Oklahoma City Kiltie Band was formed in 1922 by E. G. Fry under the sponsorship of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. It became a highly visible Oklahoma City ambassador, traveled nationally and internationally, and continued through multiple reorganizations and sponsors until at least 1990. (high) [Oklahoma City Kiltie Band history](https://www.retrometrookc.org/oklahoma-citys-famous-kiltie-band/)

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

3,964 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 taken for a story in the Oklahoma Journal newspaper. Caption: "Grable, Grable, Mrs." Headline: Grable, Miss Carol.
"Band elects '65' Princess" and "Grable Miss Carol".Photograph taken for a story in the Oklahoma Journal newspaper. Caption: "Grable, Grable, Mrs." Headline: Grable, Miss Carol.Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
"Oklahoma City ( Historical Pho-tos ), Okla City on April 22, 1889, Okla Station, OKC, May 2, 1889, near the Santa Fe Tracks, looking west on Calif. Ave. CA. McNabb Flour & Feed Store, Church and Harrah Early OKC, OKC Early Opera House, OKC First Orchestra Feed and Coal Store, OKC Street Market, ""Kirmis"", OKC First Play".
"Oklahoma City ( Historical Pho-tos ), Okla City on April 22, 1889, Okla Station, OKC, May 2, 1889, near the Santa Fe Tracks, looking west on Calif. Ave. CA. McNabb Flour & Feed Store, Church and Harrah Early OKC, OKC Early Opera House, OKC First Orchestra Feed and Coal Store, OKC Street Market, ""Kirmis"", OKC First Play"."Oklahoma City ( Historical Pho-tos ), Okla City on April 22, 1889, Okla Station, OKC, May 2, 1889, near the Santa Fe Tracks, looking west on Calif. Ave. CA. McNabb Flour & Feed Store, Church and Harrah Early OKC, OKC Early Opera House, OKC First Orchestra Feed and Coal Store, OKC Street Market, ""Kirmis"", OKC First Play".Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
"Oklahoma City ( Historical Pho-tos ), Okla City on April 22, 1889, Okla Station, OKC, May 2, 1889, near the Santa Fe Tracks, looking west on Calif. Ave. CA. McNabb Flour & Feed Store, Church and Harrah Early OKC, OKC Early Opera House, OKC First Orchestra Feed and Coal Store, OKC Street Market, ""Kirmis"", OKC First Play".
"Oklahoma City ( Historical Pho-tos ), Okla City on April 22, 1889, Okla Station, OKC, May 2, 1889, near the Santa Fe Tracks, looking west on Calif. Ave. CA. McNabb Flour & Feed Store, Church and Harrah Early OKC, OKC Early Opera House, OKC First Orchestra Feed and Coal Store, OKC Street Market, ""Kirmis"", OKC First Play"."Oklahoma City ( Historical Pho-tos ), Okla City on April 22, 1889, Okla Station, OKC, May 2, 1889, near the Santa Fe Tracks, looking west on Calif. Ave. CA. McNabb Flour & Feed Store, Church and Harrah Early OKC, OKC Early Opera House, OKC First Orchestra Feed and Coal Store, OKC Street Market, ""Kirmis"", OKC First Play".Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
"Photograph of; Dr. William J. Reynolds, Nashville, Tenn. Music Editor of ""The Church Musician""".
"Reynolds Dr. William J. \ Music Editor of the ""Church Musician"""."Photograph of; Dr. William J. Reynolds, Nashville, Tenn. Music Editor of ""The Church Musician""".Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
Photograph of a band playing at the Biltmore Hotel 228 W. Grand in downtown Oklahoma City.
Band Playing at the Biltmore HotelPhotograph of a band playing at the Biltmore Hotel 228 W. Grand in downtown Oklahoma City.Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
Photograph taken for a story in the Oklahoma Journal newspaper. Caption: "Country and western singer"
Barnett, Bobby (AMUS).Photograph taken for a story in the Oklahoma Journal newspaper. Caption: "Country and western singer"Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
Archive photograph

1975.

1975-05-17

Archive source

1975.

1975-05-17

Archive source

India Band

Unknown in captured visible metadata.

Archive source

Maya

1983

Ensemble

145th Army Band

Organized and federally recognized August 31, 1918; selected image 1968

Ensemble

Oklahoma City Symphonic Band

Organized late 1970s; reorganized and renamed 1980; foundation formed 1995; active when reviewed in 2026

Musician

Brian Gorrell

current UCO faculty; Oklahoma Youth Jazz Ensemble founded 2012; exact UCO appointment start not stated

Musician

Emily J. Butterfield

current UCO faculty; appointment start not stated on the accessed profile

Musician

Hong Zhu

1996-present at UCO; current OKCPHIL membership as stated on the accessed profile

Musician

Jeff Kidwell

2006-present at UCO; earlier Norman and Edmond public-school roles as stated on the profile

Musician

Michael Geib

2010-present at UCO; Professor of Double Bass 2023-present

Musician

Ryan Sharp

current UCO professor; profile accessed 2026-10-09

Musician

Tess Remy-Schumacher

current UCO faculty; Brisch Center co-founder and general coordinator 2012-2022