Salina educator caps career with induction into music hall of fame

By GARY DEMUTH

Salina Journal

Frank Beach had a fine arts facility named after him at Emporia State University. The same was true with Walter Duerksen at Wichita State and Henry Edward Malloy at Fort Hays State.

The men were among the first music teachers to be inducted into the Kansas Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 1975.

The newest inductee, Salinan Gayle McMillen, doesn't foresee having a building named after him.

"Maybe my back porch," he said with a laugh. "We could name it 'The McMillen Back Porch.'"

Whatever his ultimate legacy, McMillen, 59, is keeping pretty exclusive company. Since the KMEA Hall of Fame was established 34 years ago, only 85 other Kansas men and women have been inducted.

McMillen is a lifelong musician and educator who taught band and music theory for 27 years at Salina Central High School, Roosevelt-Lincoln Junior High School and Salina elementary schools.

He was inducted into the KMEA Hall of Fame during a ceremony Feb. 28 at Century II in Wichita.

To be eligible for the KMEA Hall of Fame, a nominee has to have a minimum of 30 years in music education; service to the profession in local, district, state or national organizations, as well as recognition in those areas; and a record of exemplary teaching.

High praise for McMillen

According to several letters of recommendation written by friends and colleagues, McMillen has had an exemplary career spanning more than three decades.

"Gayle is a no-brainer candidate (in my opinion) for the KMEA Hall of Fame. He is an exemplary musician, superior educator, and a great guy," wrote Ben Rohrer, band director at Salina Central High School.

When Shawn Martin, son of Salinans Lee and Judy Martin, was in middle school, McMillen introduced him to band programs. Lee and Judy Martin wrote: "Over the years, (we) are confident that many an unsuspecting parent has been drawn into band music and band parenthood both by Mr. McMillen himself or by band directors who were influenced by Mr. McMillen."

McMillen takes the admiration from colleagues, parents and former students in stride.

"It's all about helping kids learn music and get them excited about music," he said.

Born and raised in Clearwater, McMillen has had a passion for music since he first sat on a piano bench at age 4.

"Mom and Dad said I'd come home from church and pick out the songs we'd sung on the piano," he said.

McMillen started taking formal piano lessons at 6. That's when he met Jane, the woman who would become his wife.

"We had the same piano teacher," she said. "Music was a common bond for us from an early age."

At first, McMillen didn't think he could make a living playing music, so he enrolled at Southwestern College in Winfield as a math and physics major.

It didn't take him long to realize his future was in music education.

"I thought I'd try teaching until I got tired of it," he said. "I didn't get tired of it for 31 years. I'm still not tired of it, but Jane and I had the opportunity to retire together, so we did."

Before her retirement, Jane McMillen taught math and reading at Whittier Elementary School (now Cottonwood) for 31 years.

The McMillens were married in 1971. They have two daughters, Jennifer, now 36, and Katie, now 25.

In 1973, Gayle McMillen was hired by Kansas Wesleyan University as a recruiter. After two years there, he found he missed teaching music. So in 1975, he enrolled at Wichita State University and a year later received a master's degree in music education.

McMillen taught in the Solomon schools for two years, and then was hired by the Salina School District in 1978 to teach band, jazz band and music theory to grades 5 through 12.

Susan Higbee, who taught string orchestra at Salina Central and was a colleague of McMillen's for 27 years, said McMillen's passion for promoting music and music education was admirable.

"He was always one to lead a cause to the school board and parents," she said. "He'll do whatever he can to hold on to music programs in the schools. He said to me, 'If you can capture kids' enthusiasm at a young age and turn them on to music, they can make great strides.'"

Working with McMillen was a pleasure, Higbee said.

"He was always one to make me laugh and make the kids laugh," she said. "But he also was a hard, hard worker who spent a lot of time before and after school helping kids prepare for music contests and accompanying them, too."

During his long career, McMillen has been a member and/or president of the Kansas Bandmasters Association, Kansas Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference and the National Band Association.

His honors include Salina School District Master Teacher for the 1998-99 school year, the 2004 National Federation of State High School Associations' State Music Educator Award, and the Kansas Bandmasters Association's Outstanding Bandmaster for 2006.

In the midst of all his teaching commitments, McMillen still found time to perform. A trombonist as well as a pianist, McMillen plays in the horn section of the Salina Symphony.

He also has been music director with his wife for 36 years at Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 E. Neal.

Trinity choir director Joyce Tonne said she trusts McMillen to do anything requested of him on the piano.

"He can change things at a moment's notice or add a solo if needed -- he's great at improvising," she said. "Even more important than his musicianship is his friendship. I don't know anyone who is more deserving of being honored than he is."

McMillen also has been music and orchestra director for Salina Community Theatre musical productions and was music director and pianist for a series of concert performances by Les Lankhorst, a professional singer born and raised in Salina.

"(Gayle) is one of my favorite people to work with -- I wouldn't do a concert here without him," Lankhorst said. "He's just the consummate musician."

Lankhorst's family attends Trinity United Methodist Church, and that's where Lankhorst said he learned to admire McMillen's musical prowess.

"I've known Gayle since I was a little kid," Lankhorst said. "He's the first person who accompanied me for a professional audition (at Worlds of Fun). He's just a great friend and always is available for me. That's rare."

Since retiring in 2005, McMillen has kept busier than ever. In addition to performing with the Salina Symphony and special music projects, he is an adjunct teacher at Kansas Wesleyan University and regularly accompanies instrumental and vocal students from Central and South high schools at recitals and music contests.

McMillen can't envision a time he'll ever give up playing or teaching music.

"The great thing about music is that you can continue to do it as long as you can breathe," he said. "I still have a lot of good years left in me."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

Join the Discussion:

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Salinan says....
Mr. McMillen... what an amazing person! Thank you for all of your hard work! You definitely made CHS a better place during your years of hard work!
9/29/2009

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Rick L. says....
One of the best!! Days at R-L jr high are always to be remembered because Gayle made the days happen . Congradulations Gayle!!
3/23/2009

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Don Anderson SC prof, retired says....
Congrats Gene. Well deserved. My best to you, Jane and Jennifer!
3/22/2009

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tlk says....
That's so awesome!! You rule!! I loved having you as a teacher in highschool!!
3/22/2009

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Gene Morse, Wichita KS says....
Way to Go Mr. McMillen! Congratulations on a Life of Musical Greatness! Band kept me in school for sure…You Rock! Thanks for Everything!
3/14/2009

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