John Luebke, Founder and Director of the Sioux City Rockestra
Born in 1949, John Luebke was raised in North East, PA, a small town outside of Erie. His Parents hoped that he would be "normal", but he was destined to be a musician. His music career began when he started piano lessons at the age of 5. His father was a trombonist and director of the local community band while his mother, a former music teacher, taught piano. When asked if he studied with his mother, he claimed, "She was too tough".
In addition to honors such as All-State Band and Orchestra, he performed with the local rock band "that did great Turtle covers". While still in High School, John also formed his own 18 piece dance band that played Saturday nights at the American Legion Hall.
After high school, John enrolled at Fredonia State College in upstate New York where he majored in Music Education and played in the Jazz Ensemble. During the next several years after college, John served as the band director at a Seminary, studied orchestration in New York City, worked at Macy's, led a band in an exotic dance establishment, and toured the country with the Stan Kenton Band as their business manager. He also performed in at least two bands that broke up because of "too much ego and too little talent".
On New Year's Eve in 1977, John decided to put "the craziness" behind him and enrolled in graduate school at the University of Miami. While in Miami, John earned a Masters Degree in Music Education, a Doctorate in Music Theory and Composition, and got a really great tan. He also taught music appreciation at the State and Federal Penitentiaries located in Dade County, FL.
After completing graduate school, John landed at a small college in Monmouth, Illinois where he served as Music Department Chair. He escaped a few years later to become the Executive Director of the Sioux City Symphony where he spent ten years socializing with the "upper crust" and nursing a hiatal hernia.
For the past ten years, Dr. Luebke has been employed in the Sioux City Public Schools, teaching everything from Elementary Adaptive Music to Jazz Improvisation. In his "spare" time, John remains active as a published composer and prolific arranger, writing in every musical style imaginable.
John currently lives in Sioux City with his wife Shirley, who serves as the Head Music Teacher for the Sioux City Community Schools, Director of the Siouxland Youth Chorus and clarinetist for Rockestra. Their son Michael is a graduate of the University of Miami, with a degree in Vocal Jazz Performance and is currently living in Los Angeles, playing in a band, writing his own music, and recording. He plays his cello and contributes his remarkable vocal talent to Rockestra when his schedule allows.
Directing the Sioux City Rockestra is a "great fit for me. It's a great challenge and great fun at the same time. And, I think the future will really be exciting!"
