by Brady Morris
Many Oklahoma Baptist University students know the Bison Brigade from its performances, but the marching band’s work extends beyond music, formations and football games.
Led by Brian Stackhouse, director of athletic bands, and Gavin Strickland, assistant director of athletic bands, the program seeks to develop its members as musicians, leaders and people of faith.
“We’ve got the people side and the band side,” Stackhouse said. “We are working to provide the Division I experience at the Division II level.”
Stackhouse wants the Bison Brigade to distinguish itself through professionalism, while Strickland believes students should help shape the program.
“We’ve decided to let the students guide the program as well,” Strickland said.
The directors also view the band as a place where students can develop skills they will use beyond the marching field.
“We put our best effort into whatever it is we’re doing,” Stackhouse said. “Whatever we put our hands to, we are going to do it as if we are doing it unto the Lord.”
That philosophy influenced Stackhouse’s decision to come to OBU. After teaching at other universities, he took a break from higher education. When he learned about the opening at OBU, he prayed for guidance.
“If this job should go to somebody else, then shut this door,” Stackhouse recalled praying.
The door remained open, and Stackhouse was selected to lead the program.
Strickland joined the staff later. He said his emphasis on student development helped him connect with Stackhouse.
“I was not talking about exactly what steps I had to take to make the music or foot timing better,” Strickland said. “I was talking more about how we are going to shape our students and make them into better people.”
Before band camp, the directors took student leaders on a summer retreat. The retreat addressed marching band responsibilities, conflict resolution, team building and ways to help struggling students.
“We built up their confidence a little bit and added some of those extra responsibilities,” Strickland said. “They felt totally prepared.”
That preparation helped band camp run smoothly. Strickland said the musicians also responded well when they had less time than usual to rehearse their pregame and halftime performances, completing the work without backing away from the challenge.
Building the Bison Brigade has not been easy. When Stackhouse arrived at OBU, the band had only five members — not enough to field a complete marching band. Through recruiting, persistence and prayer, the program grew to 40 members by August.
Scheduling also presents a challenge because rehearsals and performances must fit within OBU’s established academic schedule.
“You’re asking different departments to accommodate a new thing when they’ve already been around for 100 years,” Stackhouse said.
Stackhouse and Strickland devote time outside regular rehearsals to helping band members balance their responsibilities.
“We have to invest ourselves in the students,” Stackhouse said. “This is not a thing where, at 5 o’clock, we check out and go home.”
The directors are also looking beyond campus. Stackhouse would like the band to take a smaller trip every two years and a larger trip every four years. The first step in that plan is a trip to Graceland.
Future goals include auditioning for events such as the Rose Parade and London’s New Year’s Day Parade. Stackhouse said traveling would allow the Bison Brigade to represent OBU and share its Christian mission with new audiences.
“The Bison Brigade can be a light to the world,” Stackhouse said. “We need to get out into the world.”
From five musicians to a growing band with ambitious travel goals, the Bison Brigade continues to march forward. Its directors hope students leave the program as confident leaders who pursue excellence, invest in others and represent OBU wherever they go.
