The purpose of this study is to trace the development of the concert band from its earliest stages to the present time and to compile a list of original compositions for band that are worthy of serious concert performance, including compositions from 1750 until the present.

The purpose of this study is to trace the role of music and music education in Abilene, Texas, from 1881 to 1911. The research presents historical data relative to five categories: Educational music, cultural music, religious music, music of the vernacular, and music merchandising. The study utilizes personal interviews, newspaper files, city directories, local histories, photographs, city and county documents, school documents, minutes of public school board meetings, minutes of meetings of churches, school catalogues, articles in journals, unpublished works, and published books.