Warren Angell

Dr. Warren M. Angell (1907--2006) A 2005 inductee into the Oklahoma State Higher Education Hall of Fame, Dr. Angell was a native of Brooklyn, New York. He attended Syracuse University where he received his B.A. and Master of Music degrees in piano and composition, and earned his Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. His first teaching assignment was at Murray State Teachers College, Murray, Ky., where he was head of the piano department from 1934-36. In 1936 he left Kentucky for Oklahoma Baptist University at Shawnee, where he was named Dean of the College of Fine Arts and taught piano, organ, and music theory. In 1938, he founded the University's all male Bison Glee Club and, in 1954 created their female counterpart, The Bisonettes. He directed both groups until his retirement in 1973. Under his guidance, the Bison Glee Club came to national prominence due to the success of their live tours and the release of seven commercial recordings. In 1965 they appeared on the Great Choirs of America "Voice of Christmas" series on NBC. During his tenure at OBU, Dr. Angell also served as director of the 60-voice First Baptist Church Choir of Shawnee.