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Robert Taylor

Assistant Professor, Director of bands

Phone: 253.879.3729
rtaylor@ups.edu

Robert Taylor is Director of Bands and Chair of the Wind and Percussion department. In addition to conducting the University Wind Ensemble and University Band, he coaches chamber ensembles, directs the theatre orchestra, teaches instrumental conducting, and works with music education students in the Master of Arts in Teaching program.

Dr. Taylor received the Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in conducting from Northwestern University, where his primary teacher was Dr. Mallory Thompson. Prior to his time at Northwestern, he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in Trumpet and Music Education from Humboldt State University and served as Chair of the Performing Arts Department and Director of Bands at Eureka High School in northern California. Under his direction, the Eureka High Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Band earned recognition for excellence by Downbeat Magazine, the Selmer Corporation, and Grammy Signature Schools, placing Eureka High among the finest school music programs nationwide.

Dr. Taylor maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician. Past engagements include performances with the Chicago-based contemporary music group, the MAVerick Ensemble, in addition to collaborations with a wide range of international artists—from Allen Vizzutti, Gail Williams, and Ingrid Jensen, to Manhattan Transfer and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. As an advocate of music in the public schools, Dr. Taylor has adjudicated numerous music festivals and is in high demand as a rehearsal clinician throughout North America. He is principal conductor of the Puget Sound Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE), a select group of talented wind and percussion students from throughout the greater Puget Sound area. Guest conducting appearances with young musicians also include the Chicago Youth Concert Orchestra, Humboldt Youth Academy Orchestra, and regional honor bands in California and Washington. .

Dr. Taylor's research in the area of repertoire development has been published by GIA as part of the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, and his paper The Vernacular Made Artful: An Analysis of Dana Wilson's Works for Wind Ensemble was recently selected for presentation at the 2007 College Band Directors National Association Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a Jacob K. Javits Fellow, and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda National Honor Societies, College Band Directors National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and Washington Music Educators Association.