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.