The purpose of the study was to write a history of the professional career of D. O. Wiley as a music educator from 1921 to 1963. To give focus to the career of Wiley, answers were sought to three questions, stated as sub-problems: (1) What were the important events and influences in the professional career of D. O. Wiley as a college/University band director? (2) What impact did Wiley have on the development of Texas public school bands that earned him the title "Father of Texas Bands?" and (3) What role did Wiley play in the development of the Texas Music Educators Association and other professional music organizations.

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the professional activities of Col. Earl D. Irons and the overall development of bands in the Southwest. The need for the study was determined after researching the related literature, which revealed gaps in the historical record of instrumental music education, and in particular a dearth of biographical studies dealing with music educators in band field.