Catlett Music Center

Catlett Music Center. . The music center is named for University of Oklahoma alumnus and supporter, Stanley B. Catlett Sr. Catlett was born in Sidell, Illinois on June 23, 1899 and his family and he moved to Indian Territory in 1901. He entered the University of Oklahoma in 1916 where he studied business, and went on to receive his LLB in 1921 from the University of Oklahoma School of Law. While he studied law and business, his love for music was a central part of his life. Catlett played the trombone for both the OU symphony and the Pride of Oklahoma Band. He went on to be a leader in the legal community of Oklahoma and at the national level. He was general councel [sic] to the Rapp Foundation, which made a major gift to the music center. , The School of Music is one of the oldest in the central part of the United States. The University of Oklahoma is home to the oldest symphony orchestra in the state. As early as 1893 the university offered courses in piano, organ, violin, mandolin, guitar, voice, harmony, conducting, and history of music. The original home for the School of Music was in Holmberg Hall, which was completed in 1918. Named for the original director of the school of music and later dean of Fine Arts, Fredrik Holmberg, this building still serves as the site of many fine arts performances in both music and dance and is the home of the university opera program. , The Catlett Music Center today is a hub of activity for the College of Fine Arts, and is the home to the School of Music at OU. Catlett Music Center was created in two major phases. The initial phase was completed in June of 1986, which includes a fine arts library, rehearsal halls, and facilities for the university bands, symphonies, and choirs. The second phase was completed in 1998: It includes the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall, which seats over 1100 people. It is named for Paul F. Sharp, the 9th president of the University of Oklahoma, a strong supporter of music and all of the fine arts during his leadership at the university. Catlett Music Center also includes the Pitman Recital Hall, honoring alumnus Morris Pitman and the Grayce B. Kerr Gothic Hall named after the late first lady of Oklahoma. , The Gothic hall also serves as the organ recital hall and honors [sic] the Mildred Andrews Bogges memorial organ which honors the late professor of organ at OU who trained more students who received Fulbright Organ Fellowships than any other teacher in the United States. The organ is one of the largest and finest instruments of its kind in the Southwest region of the United States.