Luis Saldana
Luis Saldana
Luis is a veteran Texas band director with 19 years of teaching experience. He served as the Director of Bands at Ridge Point High School (Fort Bend ISD), Wylie East High School (Wylie ISD), and The Colony High School (Lewisville ISD). Additionally, he served as an assistant director for the first eight years of his career at Hebron High School (Lewisville ISD).
In 2015, The Colony High School Wind Symphony was recognized as a National Winner in Class 5A in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Contest under his direction. Mr. Saldaña was featured as a conductor with the Hebron Wind Symphony for their concerts at the 2010 Midwest Convention and the 2011 TMEA 6A Honor Band Concert.
He is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and studied euphonium under the tutelage of Dr. Brian L. Bowman. In 2004, Luis was a Semifinalist Soloist in the Artist Level Euphonium Competition held at the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival.
Luis was privileged to serve as a member of the Brass staff for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps in 2018 (winner of the DCI “Jim Ott Award for High Brass”) and in 2019.
As one of the School Relationship Managers here at Sweetwater, please let me know anytime I can offer help or advice.
(800) 222-4700 ext 2224
E-mail Luis-
Education/Certifications Teaching Experience:
BM - University of North Texas
SBEC Certified (EC-12) -
Where did you grow up?
Laredo, TX
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How were you involved with music before coming to Sweetwater?
Past teacher, performer and clinician for bands in Texas.
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Why did you first apply for a job at Sweetwater?
I've always admired the customer service and overall experience when shopping at Sweetwater. When it was brought to my attention that Sweetwater had created a revolutionary program for instrument rentals that could benefit public school music education across the nation, I knew I had to be a part of it.
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Do you speak any other languages?
A little bit of conversational spanish.
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What is your primary instrument and what brands/models do you play?
My primary instrument is a Besson Sovereign 967 Compensating Euphonium.
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Do you play any other instruments?
Yes, I also double on Trombone and play a mean beginner trumpet and french horn.
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Are there any other musicians in your family?
My wife, Sarah, is an incredibly talented flautist and band director. In fact, we discovered we performed in the same TMEA High School All-State Band together Twenty years before we had met.
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Other stuff we should know about you (hobbies, talents, interests, etc.):
I love to watch my Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and Houston Astros play on TV or in-person. I also love spending as much time as I can with my wife Sarah and my son Andrew.
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Real-life hero:
I would definitely have to say that my mother, Julie Saldana, is my biggest role model. She is a hard-working, caring parent and one the kindest people I've ever met.
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How would your customers/fellow music education advocates describe you?
I'm incredibly passionate about music education and helping others towards achieving their goals. Whether its finding a way to make equipment more affordable and accessible for all or assisting in any way possible towards a student's musical growth.
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What do you enjoy most about being part of the Sweetwater team?
Sweetwater as a whole is one of the most dynamic and positive I've ever worked for.
Interview with Luis...
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Luis has been absolutely amazing! Fantastic communication, always follows up and makes sure everything is going as it should (or better), quick to respond and make requested adjustments and answer all the questions for our directors and band families. He's been transparent and trustworthy, patient, knowledgeable, kind, so helpful, and all the positive things. I have absolutely loved having him in our corner and supporting us and our musicians.
Karina from Whitehouse, TX
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Luis is great at communication and is always reliable when answering questions and coming through for events.
Miguel from Garland, TX
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Luis presented to us late in the year and we added Sweetwater as an additional place our parents can rent. When there have been issues that have arisen, he has been willing to do the legwork to contact parents or Sweetwater staff to fix those.
Kara from Frisco, TX
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Excellent customer service, excellent product, excellent staff! I love that I can always reach a live person with questions. I always get individual treatment.
Kathy from Wilmington, NC
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Absolutely amazed by the personal service on our order! It is obvious customer satisfaction is a priority. Your company would be the first place we would look for music related items. Great prices, great service and BTW, even the little touch of adding some candy made my kids very pleased! Thank you!
David from Renton, WA
