Kenneth Booker

Ken Booker grew up in Nederland, Texas, and attended Lamar University in nearby Beaumont. After graduating from Lamar in 1984 with an undergraduate degree in Music Theory and Composition, he taught woodwinds in north Houston on a private basis for two years. During this time, he became deeply involved in performing and writing rock music. In 1986, he enrolled in the School of Music at the University of Houston, where his creative efforts turned away from rock and toward the continuation of music in the Western Art Music tradition. He earned a Masters in Composition in 1989.

It was at the University of Houston that he met his wife, Celeste, who is a very talented singer. Upon graduation from U of H, Ken decided to continue his studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his Doctorate at UT in 1997. Ken studied saxophone with James M. Simmons, conducting with Charles A. Wiley, Nichlaus Wyss and Timothy Muffitt, and composition with Paul Holmes, Michael Horvit, Morton Subotnick, Dan Welcher, Donald Grantham, Russell Pinkston and Karl Korte.

Ken began working as a Band Director for Everman ISD, close to Fort Worth, in 1997, and the next year he accepted a position as Director of Instrumental Music for the Awty International School in Houston. He has remained active as a composer, and has developed a strong relationship with Avalon Press, his publisher. He currently resides in north Houston with his wife, Celeste, and their son, Travis. Ken's stepson, Stephen Ochoa, is currently enrolled at Blinn College. In 2000, Ken was selected to be composer in residence for an American Music Festival at the University of the Yucatan in Merida, Mexico. In 2001, he was featured in an article in the Houston Chronicle, and in 2002, he was nominated for inclusion in Who's Who among American Teachers.