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Keith Taylor
Keith Taylor

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Band

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Mr. Taylor graduated from James Madison University Cum Laude in 1985 with a major in Music Education and a minor in Psychology, and received his Masters in Conducting with a concentration in Music Education from George Mason University in May 2005. After having taught in the Fairfax County Public School System for two years on the elementary and middle school levels, he became the director of bands at Chantilly High School in 1987 where he directed the Marching Band, Symphonic Winds, Workshop Jazz, and Chantilly Jazz Bands until 2009.

In 2009 Mr. Taylor became the Music Specialist for Fairfax County Public School.  As the Music Specialist for FCPS, Mr. Taylor oversaw the programs for K-12 music in  140 elementary schools, 25 middle schools, 25 high schools, delivering a rigorous music curriculum to 125,000 students with 600 teachers K-12. In July of 2016, Mr. Taylor retired from Fairfax County Public Schools after 31+ years of service.

While Mr. Taylor was director at Chantilly High School,  the bands received numerous awards and distinctions at festivals and from music organizations, including a National Concert Band Finalist, Virginia Honor Band, VMEA Blue Ribbon Music Department, and a Grammy Signature School. Downbeat magazine has recognized the Chantilly Jazz as the top high school jazz band in the country on numerous occasions. In 1997 and 1998 the Chantilly Jazz earned a finalist position at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center in New York City where they performed at Avery Fisher Hall.  All bands from Chantilly High School have received superior or excellent ratings at District Festivals and regional competitions for twelve years. The Mighty Marching Chargers have garnered consistent superior ratings and many awards at marching band festivals and competitions including finalist band at Bands of America’s Regional Competitions and first place in music. In addition to the same successes at festivals and competitions, the Chantilly Symphonic Winds has been invited by the Virginia Music Educators Association to represent the state as a feature band at their State Convention.

Mr. Taylor is currently an adjunct faculty at Shenandoah Conservatory where he directs the Shenandoah University Concert Band. He also enjoys teaching part-time as an assistant band director at Freedom High School in Loudoun County Virginia. In addition, Mr. Taylor works as an adjudicator and clinician at various music festivals. In service to Music Education, Mr. Taylor held executive positions for the Virginia Band and Orchestra Association and the International Jazz Educators Association (IAJE). He lives in South Riding, Virginia with his wife Michelle Taylor, daughter Clara, and sons Jacob, Mason, and Leo.