Bass Studio at OKState

The OK State Symphony Orchestra Bass section posing after their successful performance of Mahler‘s first symphony this past Sunday.
It was the first time the orchestra has performed an outdoor concert. The city of Stillwater has a new development in the downtown area called block 34. Very nice performance space and it was a well attended concert.
Special shout out to Jacob Robinson for nailing the quintessential solo in the third movement!
Bravo, Jacob! 

On March 27 and 28 the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts had the Philadelphia Orchestra in to perform 2 outstanding concerts. Additionally, many of the member of the orchestra shared their time and talents with our Greenwood School of Music students and provided Master Classes. The bass studio was fortunate to have Assistant Principal Bassist Toby Vigneau provide such a class. Freshman Luke Olsen and Junior Jacob Robinson played beautifully and applied the guidance provided very effectively.
And guess who also stopped by? Principal Bassist Joseph Conyers!
Great things continue to happen at Oklahoma State! Go pokes! 

On March 31 OkState Jazz Studies Major Harrison Reynolds performed an outstanding senior recital. There was something for everyone on this program and it was all beautifully played. You can check out the concert on YouTube (search Harrison Reynolds Senior Recital)
Bravo, Harrison, for a great performance!!

Yet another outstanding performance by the OkState Symphony and in particular the Double Bass Section on The Academic Festival Overture and also on Brahms 1st Symphony. Despite being short 2 players due to health issues, these musicians played with clarity and precision and filled the McKnight Center with some serious bass sound! Way to go, y’all! Bravo!

What a great day we had on Monday! OkState Jazz had the opportunity to host the University of Miami’s Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Grammy Award winning composer, educator, bandleader and educator John Daversa and the Frost Extentions under the direction of Dr Kate Reid. Kate is the sister of my good friend, guitarist and former Marine Band colleague Alan Prather.
The OSU jazz orchestra performed an amazing set and I had the honor of leading the OSU Jazz Ensemble as the opening act.
What a night! Great things are happening in the Greenwood School of Music!!

What a great day, yesterday! OkState Jazz had the opportunity to host the University of Miami’s Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Grammy Award winning composer, educator, bandleader and educator John Daversa and the Frost Extentions under the direction of Dr Kate Reid. Kate is the sister of my good friend, guitarist and former Marine Band colleague Alan Prather.
The OSU jazz orchestra performed an amazing set and I had the honor of leading the OSU Jazz Ensemble as the opening act.
What a night! Great things are happening in the Greenwood School of Music!!

Ben Patterson/Shawn Purcell quartet with Paul Henry and Todd Harrison in the Greenwood School of Music. All are world class musicians and long time friends of mine from DC.
Playing at Iron Monk Brewery this evening from 7-9.
If you are in the area you need to come to this amazing and free event!
See you there -

Bass Studio at OKState Education website

Lots of exciting events in the Bass Studio at OkState in 2025. In addition to the myriad Symphony Orchestra, Jazz ensembles, combos and Wind Ensemble/Concert Band Symphonic Band concerts this year, (not to mention playing gigs all over the state and Texas) the members of the studio were involved in the following events, for which I am very proud!
Please enjoy the pics!

Master class with Alex Hannah on the Chicago Symphony January 24
Performances by Harrison Reynolds and Jacob Robinson as well as a Clinic with the entire double bass studio on Beethoven’s fifth Symphony excerpts.

March 13 Jr. Jazz studies recital by Cyrus Rowe

March 26 Jr. jazz recital by Harrison Reynolds

March 29 performance by Cyrus Rowe and Avery Johnson at the Lowdown jazz club in Tulsa, Oklahoma backing up trombonist John Fedchock

April 29 Bass ensemble performance/world premiere arrangement for Bass Quartet by Gabe Houts of Theodore DuBois' Pie Jesu

May 3 first ever recording session by the jazz ensemble at OSU

August 18 Fall 25 bass studio pic

Sept 8 Bass section pic in rehearsal

Sept 25 Orchestra Bass Section

October 1 Jacobson 1st professional symphony orchestra Reh and performance with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra.

Oct 24 Master Class with Chris White of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra with performance s by Luke Olsen, Drew Moguin and Jacob Robinson

October 24 Halloween Concert - the entire section dressed up like yours truly!

Nov 1 Master Class with D**g Hyuck Ahn (Principal Bassist of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Harrison Reynolds, Drew Moguin and Jacob Robinson

Nov 16 Avery Johnson Senior Recital

Nov 21 performance at the noon time Library concert series by Jacob Robinson

Here is the link to the photos of all these events:

23 new photos · Jan 24 – Nov 21 📸 Tap to view!

It was a fantastic week in the Greenwood School of Music on the campus of Oklahoma State University as I was honored to host the 20th anniversary Bass Bash! This yearly four day camp was established by the leader of the organization Mark Osborn and my predecessor here at OSU, George Speed. The participants played in bass ensembles, did jazz improv classes, technique classes and had opportunities to play solos as well as attend master classes by the faculty. They had the fun of experiencing some of our legendary local restaurants like Hideaway pizza and Eskimo Joe’s. This culminated in a final concert in the recital hall of the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts where four bass ensembles performed as well as a combined group with all 35 participants and faculty performing Anthony Stoops arrangement of “In the Mood” conducted by yours truly! What an honor to once again be a part of this event. This was number four for me and our second event hosted at OSU. I look forward to many more opportunities to work with this talented faculty and the best bass talent from Oklahoma and it’s neighboring states!