The documented story
The first public concert drew approximately 3,000 people; the first season reached more than 120,000 people through over 50 concerts and statewide appearances. The orchestra was officially renamed back to Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra in 1975 and ended after a contract dispute and strike on October 31, 1988.
People and leadership
Conductors documented by the official history include Ralph Rose, Victor Alessandro, Guy Fraser Harrison, Ray Luke, Ainslee Cox, and Luis Herrera de la Fuente.
Community and organization
Federal Music Project/WPA support was followed by Oklahoma Symphony Society and Oklahoma State Symphony organizational structures.
Reading the evidence
The 1937–1988 organization is kept distinct from the 1924 Oklahoma City Symphony and the separately created Oklahoma City Philharmonic.
Questions for further research
Recover original programs, board records, broadcast schedules, and the exact 1973–1988 organizational transitions.
Dated evidence in this record
- 1937 – 1988
The Oklahoma Federal Symphony was licensed in 1937, gave its first public concert on January 3, 1938, reached more than 120,000 people through over 50 concerts in its first season, continued as the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, was officially renamed in 1975, and ended October 31, 1988.