This informal history of the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association was written by Dr. Harry Haines, a member of the OBA Hall of Fame, and was first printed in the program for the 20th OBA Convention. Dr. Haines was a band director in the Norman Public Schools from 1959 to 1968. He is currently serving as Music Department Chairman at West Texas State University.
One of the important facets to remember about the founding of the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association is that Gene Braught was an insufferable Texan. Those of us that were Oklahoma born, Oklahoma bred, Oklahoma educated and, most of all, proud to be band directors in the best state in America, didn't customarily listen with approval to Dr. Braught's stories of "things that were better in Texas." However, some of us did attend the Texas Bandmasters Convention in the mid 1960's; I specifically remember going with Larry Fuller's un-air conditioned Chevrolet when the temperature was 115 in the shade. A big summer band director's convention was something Texas had that Oklahoma didn't and we talked about it a lot: The leading talker was Gene Braught.
At that time, the University of Oklahoma had been holding a summer marching band clinic. To the Norman High School director (and, I suspect, to a great many of the Oklahoma band directors of that era) those clinics were a godsend. I, literally, could not have functioned in my job had it not been for the information that was available through the OU clinics. The major historical points to remember in all of this are (1) there was an insatiable need for marching band material and an exchange of professional information, (2) many Oklahoma band directors were going to San Antonio to get it, and (3) Gene Braught was offering to move the OU Marching Clinic to a state convention if we could get enough directors together to form an association.
In the summer of 1965, Gene held a hamburger fry in his back yard at 804 McCall Street in Norman. Jimmy Saied, especially, was invited because he had been hosting a summer clinic in Tulsa. Jimmy was a key person because a summer OBA Convention/Clinic would be in direct competition with the Saied "Bandland Fiesta" Clinic. The ideal circumstance would be to combine the Saied Clinic with the OU Clinic to form the nucleus of a summer convention and establishment of a professional association. Jimmy attended and was supportive. Others at the meeting included Dennis Jamison, Bob Young (Edmond), George Brite (Sapulpa), Al Buswell (Del City), James Middleton (Norman), Roger Robinson (Maysville), Gene Griffin (Enid), Larry Fuller (Putnam City), Doc Walker (Putnam City) and Bill Sharp (Sharp & Nichols). Gene, Kay (his wife), Jimmy and I have tried hard to remember the complete list of names of those who were in attendance, but, unfortunately, this is the best that failing memories can do for now. The biggest achievement of the meeting was the establishment of the idea. Gene was the undisputed leader and told of his years as a high school director at Weslaco, Texas, and what the TBA has meant to him in terms of professional enrichment. I don't think there is any doubt that Gene Braught is the father of the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association.
We left the McCall Street Meeting with some committees appointed and an agreement to do two things: (1) go to San Antonio and talk with exhibitors to see if we could ge their financial support, and (2) meet again in early September to form the association, etc. The September meeting was to be in conjunction with the Sharp & Nichols Band Music Reading Clinic in Oklahoma City. Committees included the Constitution and By-Laws Committee (Al Buswell, Chairman), Nominating Committee (Harry Haines, Chairman), Sites Committee and Exhibitors Committee (Jane Ristau, Chairman). There were probably some others that I have now forgotten. Anyway, the hamburgers were good, Gene and Kay were wonderful hosts. The jokes are now long forgotten, but the hopes and aspirations for professional summer convention have endured.
There was considerable activity during July and August of that summer. Jane Ristau was particularly enthusiastic. She contacted a printer in Norman named Sam Laird and asked that he design a logo for some stationary. That logo is still in use today and has served the Association well. Jane wrote letters, made phone calls and surprised us all with her zeal for an Oklahoma Bandmasters Association. In my opinion, Jane Ristau was the person who tried hardest to get band directors to attend the September meeting; she later had the primary responsibility for the exhibitors.
My major contribution was to sell Bob Young on the idea that he would make a good president. He finally accepted and, I think we all now agree, there would not be a dynamic, vigorous OBA today had it not been for Bob Young's contributions as the first president and for his subsequent strong support of the Association throughout his lifetime. The meeting at the May Avenue O'Mealey's Cafeteria was shaky, but we adopted a constitution and by-laws (which was later revised, a lot) elected officers, established the date (the week before TBA, so that we could attract exhibitors) and site (the Huckins Hotel, which gave us the most favorable price because it was about to be torn down) of the first convention; OBA was off and running.
It was the hope of the founders that an Oklahoma Bandmasters Association would promote bands in the state. The two goals that were on everyone's minds were (1) fellowship; and (2) professional enhancement. We hoped OBA would foster a stronger bond among band directors, build a more positive identity for the profession and provied an occasion for the professional enrichment of those of us who were directing and teaching bands. Collectively, we could do more to host nationally recognized clinicians in the band field. Working together, we would have more resources to influence the quality of instruction and the overall level of achievement of band in Oklahoma. Looking back now on 20 years, of OBA, we should all be able to take pride in the remarkable achievements that have been made toward these aspirations.
In closing, a final word about insufferable Texans...now that I am one, it seems a disclaimer is needed. Gene told me in the spring of 1985 (when we were visiting about this article for the convention program) that Texans patterned their TBA after Iowa's summer convention, the IBA. So help me, I don't remember any stories about how bands were always better in Iowa...do you?
One of the important facets to remember about the founding of the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association is that Gene Braught was an insufferable Texan. Those of us that were Oklahoma born, Oklahoma bred, Oklahoma educated and, most of all, proud to be band directors in the best state in America, didn't customarily listen with approval to Dr. Braught's stories of "things that were better in Texas." However, some of us did attend the Texas Bandmasters Convention in the mid 1960's; I specifically remember going with Larry Fuller's un-air conditioned Chevrolet when the temperature was 115 in the shade. A big summer band director's convention was something Texas had that Oklahoma didn't and we talked about it a lot: The leading talker was Gene Braught.
At that time, the University of Oklahoma had been holding a summer marching band clinic. To the Norman High School director (and, I suspect, to a great many of the Oklahoma band directors of that era) those clinics were a godsend. I, literally, could not have functioned in my job had it not been for the information that was available through the OU clinics. The major historical points to remember in all of this are (1) there was an insatiable need for marching band material and an exchange of professional information, (2) many Oklahoma band directors were going to San Antonio to get it, and (3) Gene Braught was offering to move the OU Marching Clinic to a state convention if we could get enough directors together to form an association.
In the summer of 1965, Gene held a hamburger fry in his back yard at 804 McCall Street in Norman. Jimmy Saied, especially, was invited because he had been hosting a summer clinic in Tulsa. Jimmy was a key person because a summer OBA Convention/Clinic would be in direct competition with the Saied "Bandland Fiesta" Clinic. The ideal circumstance would be to combine the Saied Clinic with the OU Clinic to form the nucleus of a summer convention and establishment of a professional association. Jimmy attended and was supportive. Others at the meeting included Dennis Jamison, Bob Young (Edmond), George Brite (Sapulpa), Al Buswell (Del City), James Middleton (Norman), Roger Robinson (Maysville), Gene Griffin (Enid), Larry Fuller (Putnam City), Doc Walker (Putnam City) and Bill Sharp (Sharp & Nichols). Gene, Kay (his wife), Jimmy and I have tried hard to remember the complete list of names of those who were in attendance, but, unfortunately, this is the best that failing memories can do for now. The biggest achievement of the meeting was the establishment of the idea. Gene was the undisputed leader and told of his years as a high school director at Weslaco, Texas, and what the TBA has meant to him in terms of professional enrichment. I don't think there is any doubt that Gene Braught is the father of the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association.
We left the McCall Street Meeting with some committees appointed and an agreement to do two things: (1) go to San Antonio and talk with exhibitors to see if we could ge their financial support, and (2) meet again in early September to form the association, etc. The September meeting was to be in conjunction with the Sharp & Nichols Band Music Reading Clinic in Oklahoma City. Committees included the Constitution and By-Laws Committee (Al Buswell, Chairman), Nominating Committee (Harry Haines, Chairman), Sites Committee and Exhibitors Committee (Jane Ristau, Chairman). There were probably some others that I have now forgotten. Anyway, the hamburgers were good, Gene and Kay were wonderful hosts. The jokes are now long forgotten, but the hopes and aspirations for professional summer convention have endured.
There was considerable activity during July and August of that summer. Jane Ristau was particularly enthusiastic. She contacted a printer in Norman named Sam Laird and asked that he design a logo for some stationary. That logo is still in use today and has served the Association well. Jane wrote letters, made phone calls and surprised us all with her zeal for an Oklahoma Bandmasters Association. In my opinion, Jane Ristau was the person who tried hardest to get band directors to attend the September meeting; she later had the primary responsibility for the exhibitors.
My major contribution was to sell Bob Young on the idea that he would make a good president. He finally accepted and, I think we all now agree, there would not be a dynamic, vigorous OBA today had it not been for Bob Young's contributions as the first president and for his subsequent strong support of the Association throughout his lifetime. The meeting at the May Avenue O'Mealey's Cafeteria was shaky, but we adopted a constitution and by-laws (which was later revised, a lot) elected officers, established the date (the week before TBA, so that we could attract exhibitors) and site (the Huckins Hotel, which gave us the most favorable price because it was about to be torn down) of the first convention; OBA was off and running.
It was the hope of the founders that an Oklahoma Bandmasters Association would promote bands in the state. The two goals that were on everyone's minds were (1) fellowship; and (2) professional enhancement. We hoped OBA would foster a stronger bond among band directors, build a more positive identity for the profession and provied an occasion for the professional enrichment of those of us who were directing and teaching bands. Collectively, we could do more to host nationally recognized clinicians in the band field. Working together, we would have more resources to influence the quality of instruction and the overall level of achievement of band in Oklahoma. Looking back now on 20 years, of OBA, we should all be able to take pride in the remarkable achievements that have been made toward these aspirations.
In closing, a final word about insufferable Texans...now that I am one, it seems a disclaimer is needed. Gene told me in the spring of 1985 (when we were visiting about this article for the convention program) that Texans patterned their TBA after Iowa's summer convention, the IBA. So help me, I don't remember any stories about how bands were always better in Iowa...do you?