Ken 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 began teaching woodwinds in north Houston on a private basis. In 1986, he enrolled in the School of Music at the University of Houston, where he earned a Masters in Composition in 1989. 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. He has continued to compose music in many genres, including works for various chamber groups, voice, concert band and orchestra. Recently, he has written music for big band along with several rock songs. His longtime interest in electronic music has led him to collaborate with rock musicians in Houston. Most of Dr. Booker’s career has been in music education. He served as band director for the Awty International School in Houston, Texas, then at Lee College, in Baytown, Texas. He served as Director of Instrumental Music at Lee for 15 years. He retired in January 2023.