KMEA Hall of Fame
Gayle McMillen
Inducted in 2009
Gayle McMillen graduated from Clearwater HS, Southwestern College with BM and Wichita State University with MME. Gayle has done additional hours at Chapman University, Emporia State University, Kansas State University, University of Kansas, and VanderCook College. Currently Mr. McMillen is adjunct teacher at Kansas Wesleyan University. Gayle retired in 2005 after teaching 27 years in Salina, KS. He taught two years each at South Haven, KS, Wesleyan University, and Solomon. He is a member of KBA, Phi Beta Mu, IAJE, KMEA, and NEA. He is a past president of KBA and served as executive secretary of KBA for six years. He was KMEA District III Jazz Chair twice and KMEA State Jazz Chair. He is a past president of KMEA and past president of Southwestern Division of MENC. He is a regular member of Heart of America Concert Band, Kansas Invitational Trombone Ensemble, and Salina Symphony. Gayle and his wife are music coordinators at Salina Trinity United Methodist Church where they play piano and organ and coordinate eight choirs. He is also frequently involved in the Salina Community Theatre as musical director and/or keyboard player. He was 1996-97 "Teacher of the Year" and was selected Salina school district "Master Teacher" in 1998-99. He was selected 1997-98 KMEA District III Middle Level Outstanding Teacher and 2004 KMEA North Central District Middle Level Outstanding Music Teacher. He served on the KS State Department of Education committee that developed music standards approved in 1998. He was on the KSHSAA Board of Directors. In 2004, he was recipient of National Federation of State High School Associations State Music Educator Award and in 2005 received the NFHS Section 5 Outstanding Music Educator Award. KBA and Phi Beta Mu awarded him 2006 Outstanding Bandmaster.