Dr. Gene Brooks, D.M.E.

1936-2007

Dr. Gene Brooks of Edmond, Oklahoma, passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2007.
 
Born June 15, 1936, on a farm near Rush Springs, Oklahoma, Dr. Brooks led a musical life.  He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, as well as his Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees from the University of Oklahoma.  He completed additional graduate study at the University of Colorado.

Dr. Brooks served as choir director and chairman of the music departments at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.  He also chaired the Department of Music at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

Dr. Brooks received the 1985 Profile in Excellence Award from Oklahoma Baptist University and the 1996 Distinguished Alumni Award in Music from Oklahoma Baptist University.  In 1997, he received the University of Oklahoma School of Music Distinguished Alumni Fellow Award.  He also served as minister of music for numerous churches in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado.

Choirs under Dr. Brooks's direction appeared in concerts throughout the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York City.  They also performed at the National Convention of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) and state conventions of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association.  One of his choirs was selected to appear at the Choral Symposium in Vienna, Austria, sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association.  In addition to performing Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8 in Vienna, the choir toured France, Germany, and Austria.  Another of Dr. Brooks' choirs was chosen to perform at the National Convention of MENC (Music Educators National Conference).  In addition, the Singing Texans, a show choir under his direction, presented twenty-five concerts on a U.S.O. tour of the Caribbean.

In 1977, Dr. Brooks became the National Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association and continued to serve in that position until his death.  Prior to assuming his position as ACDA National Executive Director, Dr. Brooks served ACDA in other capacities, including ACDA National Treasurer, Program Chair for the ACDA National Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri, and Chairman of the ACDA Division Convention held in Dallas, Texas.

In addition to ACDA, Dr. Brooks held numerous positions in other music organizations.  He served as the Secretary General for the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM).  He served as Chairman of Music in Higher Education for MTNA.  In addition, MTNA named him as its national choral chairman.  Dr. Brooks also held numerous positions at the state, division, and national levels in MTNA, MENC, and ACDA.

Dr. Brooks is survived by his wife Nancy, of Edmond, Oklahoma; son, Steven, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sister Linda Smith and husband Brunell of Marlow, Oklahoma; brother Orvil Brooks and wife Bonnie of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and sister Virginia Huffine and husband Alton of Pottsboro, Texas, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Dr. Brooks is preceded in death by parents Frank and Ethel Brooks, and sister Evelyn Lancaster and husband Harley of Duncan, Oklahoma.

Cards may be mailed to:
The Brooks Family
c/o ACDA
PO Box 2720
Oklahoma City OK 73101-2720

ACDA has established the Gene Brooks Memorial Fund. Click here for information.