Luke McMillon is a passionate musician, composer, and educator whose award winning music consistently moves audiences and blows apart the status quo of how music should look, sound, and feel. Luke’s passion for music came about at a very young age, as he taught himself to play the piano by ear at age seven and wrote music for his 7th grade band when he was twelve. He continued writing for ensembles in which he played throughout high school and college, and eventually for the school where he teaches.
For the past decade, Luke has been writing marching band music to rave reviews, and his shows have been performed at Region, Area and State Marching contests, as well as Bands of America contests. Luke’s shows have been heard at the Texas State Marching Band contest every year since 2007. He has written music for middle schools, all sizes and classifications of High School Bands, as well as college and professional ensembles. Luke has also written music for concert band, as well as television and Internet commercials, and competitive dance teams.
Luke is in his tenth year as Assistant Director of Bands at his alma mater, Wylie High School in Abilene, Texas. He teaches the High School Symphonic Band, High School Jazz Band, and assists with the Middle School program. Under his direction, Luke’s concert bands have received a UIL Sweepstakes award every year he has been teaching, and his jazz band has received the prestigious honor of “Best in Class” at every contest it has been offered. The award winning Wylie High School Jazz Band is a well-known fixture in the community, having played at numerous venues such as corporate events and fundraising dinners. The WHS Jazz band has been recognized by the mayor of Abilene and has been featured by local media on several occasions. At their annual spring concert, the Wylie Jazz Band has played alongside many world-renowned jazz musicians, including Wayne Bergeron, Lenny Pickett, Tom “Bones” Malone and Eric Marienthal.
Luke is a highly sought after all-region band clinician, having worked with multiple all-region groups, as well as working with high school and middle school concert, marching and jazz bands across the state. He has also made his name known as a quality Judge in UIL Concert and Marching band Region contests. As a performer, Luke plays with various ensembles, including jazz combos such as MCMJ, Jazz Concho, and the West Texas Jazz Orchestra, a 17 piece Big Band based out of San Angelo.
Luke is a 2003 graduate of The University of North Texas holding a Bachelor of Music degree. While attending UNT, he played in the marching band, concert band, and nationally recognized jazz lab bands. Luke married his wife, Emily, on July 4th, 2009 in Abilene, Texas, where they currently reside with their daughter Tenley. When Luke isn’t writing music, his limited free time is filled with playing Horsey, reading picture books and making a pretty good bathtime mohawk.
