welcome to band yap bandtober essentials, where we look back on some of our favorite episodes to help fuel your jam-packed competition schedule. whether you’re on the road to contests or just needing a quick dose of inspiration to keep you going, these hand-picked episodes are here to keep you company all october long.

enjoy this essential episode with luke mcmillan, originally released on february 28, 2025.

he's the king of small school marching band productions, and he has the hair to back it up.

luke mcmillan works with bands across the country, providing marching shows for schools of all sizes. as a prolific composer and arranger for over 20 years, he has fine-tuned his process for working with bands to create an excellent product, in both educational and entertaining capacities. we sat down with luke mcmillan to talk about his creative process, barry hurt, chili's, how many lab bands unt actually has, and more!

sponsored by:

• ⁠shawn murphy⁠⁠ with fanpledge
• ⁠the band blueprint⁠⁠⁠ (use promo code bandyap5 when you purchase)
• ⁠troubadour consultants⁠⁠⁠

check out our uil pml playlists on ⁠youtube⁠ (all 5 grades available!)

• ⁠⁠uil pml grade 1s⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠uil pml grade 2s⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠uil pml grade 3s⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠uil pml grade 4s⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠uil pml grade 5s ⁠⁠

listen to our ⁠⁠mixtape⁠⁠

listen to our ⁠⁠march madness⁠⁠ playlist

get help with your resume, or featured on our socials to assist in your job hunt, fill out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠talent connect form⁠⁠