Of our dear companions, who gave
      Life to our world with their friendship  
      Let us not say sadly – they are no longer,
      But thankfully – they were.

Luis Maldonado passed away on March 1, 1995. 

He was an original member of the Brass Band of Battle Creek.

Formerly Assistant Professor of Low Brass at Central Michigan University, Luis was among the best and brightest lights in the international low brass community.   In addition to his position at the University of Central Michigan, he had been a faculty member at the Interlochen Arts Camp and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. 

He served the teaching profession tirelessly.  He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Festival and served T.U.B.A. in a variety of capacities.  He contributed many articles to the T.U.B.A. Journal and assisted with the structuring of competitions in addition to other activities. 

One of the great euphonium soloists of our day, Maldonado performed across the United States and in Japan in solo recitals and as a guest artist with numerous performing organizations including Keith Brion’s New Sousa Band, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and a host of others.  He was a past winner of the Falcone Festival Artist Division Competition and the Japan Euphonium Solo Competition. 

He was a devoted master teacher who cared as deeply about the students he taught as he did about the quality of the performances he gave. 

His passing left a great void in our profession and in the lives of all who knew him.