About Me

Thank you for checking out my website!  I really enjoy making reeds and sharing them with other musicians.  Let me know if you have any questions.  

Bio:

My name is Luis de la Garza, III and I am originally from Laredo, Texas.  I attended United High School and was under the direction of John Mallon.  I played bassoon, saxophone, oboe, and percussion during my high school years.  I made the All-State Symphonic Band my senior year.

After high school I began my career in music when I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  I served as a member of the First Marine Division Band located in Camp Pendleton, California.  Once I returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom and was honorably discharged from the Marines, I began my schooling and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Texas where I studied with Kathleen Reynolds.  I continued my studies with John Clouser and earned a Masters' degree in musical performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music.  

Once I finished my Masters’ degree, I had the opportunity to play professionally for many years.  I was principal bassoonist of the Mansfield (OH) Symphony for ten seasons, Midland – Odessa Symphony and Chorale and West Texas Winds for seven seasons, and Missouri (MO) Symphony Orchestra for five seasons.  

In 2015, I changed courses and became a band director.  My time as an educator has been a different adventure that I have really enjoyed.  I got my start in the middle of the year at Schulenburg and taught there for five years.  I eventually did a couple of years at Rice Consolidated ISD.  I am now at Katy ISD as the head director of McDonald JH. 

My wife, Brooke, is an Instructional Coach at Katy ISD.  We have four children.  Their names are Thomas, Jackson, Aria, and Luis!  I enjoy spending time with my family, playing fantasy sports, and cheering on my Cowboys, Spurs, and Rangers!