BOHUMIL MAKOVSKY

BASICS Band professor at Oklahoma A&M Helped get Kappa Kappa Psi started with his support The first Guiding Spirit of Kappa Kappa Psi

HISTORY Born in Bohemia in September 23, 1878 Very little academic education (only 6 years) and sparse musical training. Had lessons on clarinet and violin from his uncle. Came to the USA in 1895 (Nebraska). First job was rolling cigars. First musical job as a clarinet player in a traveling wagon show.

CONTINUED Moved to Oklahoma City Got married to Georgia Shestack in August Got a job at Oklahoma A&M and worked there until 1943! While working there, the band expanded from 40 people to 110! Highly acclaimed. Boh passed away June 12, 1950 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

LITTLE KNOWN/ STRANGE FACTS Was close friends with people like John Philip Sousa, Henry Fillmore and A. A. Harding. Boh was the first honorary member of both Kappa Kappa Psi AND Tau Beta Sigma. Boh's trademarks were his uncrushed black bowtie and his saxophone-shaped pipe, which he called "my best friend.” Boh liked to call certain rare instruments owned by the university (such as the sarrusophone, heckelphone, and contrabass clarinet) his "pets."

EVEN MORE Boh received an honorary Ph.D. in Music from the University of Tulsa. Boh was a 33rd degree Mason, the highest degree of Masonry. Boh was made an honorary chief of the Kiowa Indian Tribe. His Kiowa name became "The Great Father of Oklahoma Music," and he was given a war bonnet by the tribe.