Dr. Ray E. Luke

Ray E. Luke, 82, passed away Wednesday after a brief illness. Born in Fort Worth, Texas on May 30, 1928, Luke was the son of Ray H. and Dorothy Luke. At an early age, he demonstrated a talent for music and played trumpet in many area ensembles. Luke earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Texas Christian University. He taught briefly at Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, N.C. and then returned to Texas as a music faculty member at East Texas State College. During his 13-year career at East Texas, he developed a flair for arranging that led him to make his first efforts at composition. In 1957, Luke was accepted at the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music where he studied composition with Bernard Rogers. Luke earned his Ph.D. in composition in 1960. In 1962, Luke joined the faculty at Oklahoma City University, where he became chairman of the instrumental music department. A year later, Luke became music director of the newly created Lyric Theatre and conducted there for five seasons. In the late 1960s, Luke became associate conductor of the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra. Upon Guy Fraser Harrison's retirement in 1973, Luke served as music director of the orchestra for one season. Harrison premiered the majority of Luke's orchestral works, a practice continued when Luis Herrera de la Fuente became music director. During a compositional career that spanned more than 40 years, Luke composed more than 80 works for orchestra, band, chorus, opera, ballet and chamber music. In 1969, his piano concerto won the top prize in the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium competition. In 1979, his opera "Medea," which featured a libretto by Carveth Osterhaus, won the New England Conservatory Opera Competition Award. Luke conducted the world premiere in Boston. Among his other awards are the Oklahoma Musician of the Year (1970), the Distinguished Alumnus of TCU (1972) and the Oklahoma Governor's Arts Award (1979). For more than 25 consecutive years, Luke was honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. The ASCAP Award is presented for outstanding work in the area of serious music composition. Luke’s legacy as a composer and his influence on countless student musicians are a tribute to his tireless efforts to make the finest music possible. After 35 years at OCU, Luke retired in 1997. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Helen Osier. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Faye, daughter Lisa and husband Matt Mayfield, son Jeff and wife Kim, grandchildren Lauren, Justin and Madison Mayfield, Jason and Jessie Luke, four nieces and a nephew. The family will receive guests at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Spring Creek Baptist Church, 11701 N. MacArthur with interment in Rose Hill Burial Park. Memorials may be made in Ray Luke’s name to the OCU School of Music Scholarship fund. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.