Gainesville Swing Orchestra

Gainesville Swing Orchestra GSO is a 20 piece orchestra that includes a director,
a female and male vocalist. We also have some outstanding instrumental soloist.

Gainesville Swing Orchestra (Cooke County Orchestra) has played in many different places. We had a ten year engagement at the Germanfest in Muenster. Some of the other shows done by GSO are Texas State Fair, Grayson County Fair, Billy Bobs in Ft. Worth, Sherman's Hot Summer Night, Grand Opening of the Gainesville Outlet Mall, and numerous reunions, wedding receptions, and concerts within a hundred

mile radius. GSO has played for Austin College Freshman orientation for the past ten years. GSO assisted NCTC with starting a jazz band program. GSO first centered their music on the instrumental Big Band styles of the 40s and 50s. Now the performances include all styles of Big Band music and vocal numbers. Many of GSOs alumni have had successful careers as professional musicians and teachers. The head of the UTA jazz department, Tim Ishii, spent many years playing with the orchestra while he was working on his Bachelors and Masters degree. He credits that experience as helping him improve is musical skills. Other past members has been seen in the Harry Connick, Jr. Orchestra and the Count Basie. It is not unusal to find past members names on professional recordings. During the 1980s we had a saxophone player who was stationed on a ship in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He was ashore during the attack and his ship was sunk in the Harbor. After the war, the ship was brought up to the surface and his horn was recovered. The horn was returned to him and restored to the point that he could play it with the Orchestra. The day jobs of the members are retirees, band directors, teachers, lawyers, doctors, locksmith, and salesmen. The members of the Orchestra has a love for the music of this era that shows in their performances.

We will be performing at Austin College on August 23rd and our Swingin' Christmas concert is set for December 6th, 2026!
06/01/2026

We will be performing at Austin College on August 23rd and our Swingin' Christmas concert is set for December 6th, 2026!

“Think about the past and consider the sacrifices men and women in the military have made for us.” Gary G. Wetzel
05/25/2026

“Think about the past and consider the sacrifices men and women in the military have made for us.” Gary G. Wetzel

Thank you to DJB Productions for capturing our 2026 Sights & Sounds performance!
05/18/2026

Thank you to DJB Productions for capturing our 2026 Sights & Sounds performance!

05/14/2026
May the 4th be with YOU!
05/04/2026

May the 4th be with YOU!

The weather forecast for Saturday is perfect for the Gainesville Spring Fling! Come see us perform at 3:30pm!
05/01/2026

The weather forecast for Saturday is perfect for the Gainesville Spring Fling! Come see us perform at 3:30pm!

Experience the Gainesville Swing Orchestra this Saturday 3:30 - 4:45pm in Gainesville at the Gainesville Texas Farmers M...
04/30/2026

Experience the Gainesville Swing Orchestra this Saturday 3:30 - 4:45pm in Gainesville at the Gainesville Texas Farmers Market!

Come experience the Gainesville Swing Orchestra in Gainesville on May 2nd!
04/20/2026

Come experience the Gainesville Swing Orchestra in Gainesville on May 2nd!

Address

Gainesville, TX

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gainesville Swing Orchestra posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category