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Professor

About

Described as a “masterful” and “impressive” artist, double bassist Michael T. Geib defies musical boundaries. A true musical chameleon, he thrives in every artistic context and aspires to set a new standard for double bass playing in the 21st century. He has performed with countless notable artists, including but not limited to Benny Golson, Parry Karp, Linda Purl, Valerie Narjano, Jorja Fleezanis, Jamison Ross, Corrine Stillwell, Jodi Benson, 2CELLOS, David Benoit, Stefan Grasse, Kenny Garrett, Il Divo, Dave Douglas, Sharel Cassity and Tess Remy-Schumacher. He is committed to performing new works, having played in the world premieres i.d. (2010), Flipside: The Patti Page Story (2011), Bernice Bobs Her Hair (2015), Ascription (2015), Mann… and Wife (2016), To Awaken the Sun (2019), and Cube of Light (2021). An active recording artist, he has performed on a multitude of projects for the Equilibrium, Naxos, Onyx Lane, Quam Audio, and Xolo Labels, as well as innumerable film scores.

While he has performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom, he is privileged to call Oklahoma City his home. He maintains an active OKC performance career with the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, the Brisch Center for Historical Performance, the Painted Sky Opera and the UCO Jazz Lab. He is a proud member of the American Federation of Musicians Chapter 375-703, the International Society of Bassists, and the Oklahoma Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

A steward for posterity, Michael T. Geib teaches privately through the University of Central Oklahoma and Geib Musik. He is committed to teaching bassists to be versed in all types of music, with his doctoral treatise focusing on teaching improvisation to orchestral double bass players. His principal teachers were Melanie Punter, Rodney Jordan, Ian Bracchitta and Delbert Felix.

Michael T. Geib is honored and humbled to represent the Onyx Lane catalog of artists.

Classes Taught

  • Applied Double Bass
  • Chamber Music (Strings)
  • History of Rock and Roll
  • Jazz and Commercial Music Arranging
  • Jazz Ensembles
  • Jazz History
  • Jazz Theory
  • Music Theory I & II
  • String Techniques
  • Recital Attendance

Education and Certifications

  • Doctor of Music in String Performance, Florida State University
  • Master of Music in String Performance and Master of Music in Jazz Studies, Florida State University
  • Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts-Music and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Clemson University

Experience

  • Professor of Double Bass: University of Central Oklahoma, 2023-present
  • Associate Professor of Double Bass: University of Central Oklahoma, 2017-23
  • Double Bass & Improvisation Instructor: Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain, 2022
  • Assistant Professor of Double Bass: University of Central Oklahoma, 2011-17 
  • Adjunct Professor of Double Bass: Oklahoma Christian University, 2011-12
  • Orchestra Sectional Coach: Edmond North High School, 2011-12
  • Temporary Lecturer of Double Bass: University of Central Oklahoma, 2010-11
  • Double Bass & Chamber Music Instructor: Florida State University,  2007-10

Honors and Awards

  • CGS/Proquest Distinguished Dissertation Award Finalist: Florida State University
  • Summa Cum Laude Graduate of the College of Music: Florida State University
  • Summa Cum Laude Graduate of the Calhoun Honors College: Clemson University
  • Outstanding Student in Performing Arts in Music: Clemson University
  • Scott Hendrickson Memorial Jazz Ensemble Award: Clemson University
  • Eagle Scout Award: Troop 245, Hilton Head Island, SC

Interests

Downhill Snow Skiing, Cooking and Grilling, Urban Hiking, Cycling, Outdoors and Camping

Research, Published Work, and Scholarly Activities

Not As Them Seem

Onyx Lane Records 2021

Dragonetti: 12 Waltzes for Solo Double Bass

Onyx Lane Records 2021

Structuring Versatility: A Organized Survey of Modern Double Bass Playing 

Published by Geib Musik 2018

Teach Your Orchestra to Improvise 

Smart Music Blog 2017

Teaching Improvisation to Orchestral Double Bass Players: Significance and Methodology 

Doctoral Treatise, Florida State University 2013

Professional and Community Involvement

American Federation of Musicians:

Local 375-703 Executive Board Member

American String Teachers Association:

Editorial Board Member for the American String Teacher Journal

International Society of Bassists

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy can be described in three tenets: fundamentals, versatility, and passion.  When embracing these three principles, I believe that any student can have a successful career in music.  

The views expressed by UCO faculty and staff on their personal websites and social media pages do not necessarily reflect the positions of the University of Central Oklahoma. UCO faculty and staff are advised to follow the university’s social media guidelines and are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with policies outlined in UCO’s Employee Handbook and/or Faculty Handbook.