Photo Credits : Tony Avila
Photo Credits : Tony Avila
Photo Credits : Tony Avila
The band participates in Sights and Sounds each April with the rest of the CCAC to raise money for scholarships for artists and performers in Gainesville .
“ Probably around 2010 , 2011 … the band did a joint concert with the high school stage band ,” said Patterson . “ The proceeds went to a scholarship fund to help give $ 500 or so to a graduate .”
After a few years , the event settled into the night of music and art it is now . Meet some of the players Throughout the years , many Gainesville locals have been a part of GSO . Long-time Cooke County residents may remember Jerry Brooks , Roger Martin and Don Clayton . Current GSO players include Gabrielle Fletcher , who is part of North Central Texas College ’ s English department . She also leads the Red River Sea Cadets . Randy Firth , who taught at Gainesville High School in the Life Skills Special Education class for years before moving to Gainesville State School . Dr . Larry Sears has also played with the band many years while practicing medicine with his brother , Glenn .
Grammy nominated Valley View resident Dave Alexander directs the band when he ’ s not on the road with his Western Swing band . He has been a part of GSO for around 10 years , starting due to his connection with Patterson .
“ I ’ ve been here in North Texas , going through school and all that ,” said Alexander . “ I worked with Dean a long time ago when I was in school , and he invited me to the band .”
While the band has always had local players , some of the band members through the years were students brought in from UNT . Many have gone on to successful careers in the music industry . Former GSO players have gone on to do everything from being part of Disney World bands to being music professors .
“ Keith Oshiro was a trombone player that plays at Disney World that played with us . Tim Ishii played alto sax with us for many years , and he teaches at the University of Texas in Arlington , and Aric Schneller is a trombone player who played with us who teaches at Sam Houston State ,” said Patterson . “ The Four Freshmen did a whole series of ‘ Four Freshmen , Five Trombones ,’ and in an interview , they introduced a guy named Scott Whitfield as doing the arrangement for the trombones , and Scott played with us for a couple of years … We have had a lot of very experienced musicians playing with us , and I ’ ve seen many of their names on albums over the years .” Holiday show The GSO has created a musical legacy in north Texas that will hopefully remain for years to come .
One of the biggest GSO events each year is A Swingin ’ Christmas . This annual event has been a part of the holiday season since around 2007 with many classic favorites and kids getting to hear Santa Claus sing .
GAINESVILLE LIVING 8 HOLIDAY 2023 Photo Credits : Tony Avila