UF music man passes the baton

For the first time in many years, Jack Taylor is not heading back to the classroom or onto a stage this fall. He has retired after 40 years of directing community bands and teaching music at the University of Findlay. "It's strange coming into September and not going to school," he said. COVID-19 took its toll on Taylor's swan song year. "I didn't have my final concert with Jazz Ensemble, with the university bands. I was supposed to have the Civic Band at the park," he said. "I didn't get to say good-bye to any of my people." But there have been blessings, he said. His sons and daughters-in-law planned a Zoom party for him. They also set up a Facebook page where some 400 former students sent notes, pictures and videos. Had he had that last concert, Taylor said he wouldn't have been able to visit with everyone. "It took us like two weeks to get through all those greetings," he said. "What a wonderful life. It was like that last scene in the movie ('It's a Wonderful Life'). And if not for what happened, that probably that would not have come our way." Taylor grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania. His parents moved the summer before his third-grade year. It was a hard adjustment, he said. "Things were not going well," he laughed. "I know my third-grade teacher was calling my folks and saying this child needs to settle down a little bit." Taylor started clarinet lessons that year, and his music teacher took a special interest in him. By the time he reached fourth grade, Taylor knew he wanted to a music teacher. His aunt Geraldine, who was an elementary school teacher, also influenced that decision. "Every year we'd go visit them on Christmas Day, and her piano would just be loaded with gifts from her kids in school. So from the time I was that age, I just knew I wanted to be a teacher like my Aunt Gerry and have all those kids love me like that," Taylor said. He even met his future wife, Pat, through music. They met in middle school band, where she played the flute. Taylor attended West Chester State University and earned a music education degree, then taught middle school band in Kutztown for two years before heading to Yale University for his master's degree. Taylor came to Findlay in 1980. "Findlay College at the time had just done away with its music major. There was anger with the community, with the alumni, with the faculty. There was just a lot of angst at that time," he recalled. At the time, Glen Rasmussen was president of the college. He was also a musician. "His feeling was since they were doing away with the music major, if they'd bring in a guy that had some jazz background, maybe I could put together a combo for Findlay College. If not a full concert band, maybe a little three- to four-piece jazz group so that there would be music experiences," Taylor said. Seven students enrolled in band that fall. "I almost immediately went out to the community to try and bring in some people from the town to help fill some chairs and help us through the first couple years," he said. "That move ended up being kind of a career-defining moment, because the community has been integral in everything that I've built at Findlay since that time." The early years were challenging, he said. "We were limited on what we could do with music. But there was a closeness with the kids, like a sense of 'can we accomplish this? Can we perform and perform well with such limited resources and equipment and bodies and people there?'" he said. But they began to see progress, and the Taylors fell in love with Findlay. "The community was just so welcoming here in Findlay. The administration and faculty and all were encouraging. And as soon as we tapped into the community, there was a lot of support and help there," he said. A marching band was started at the university in 1997. Dr. Ken Zirkle was the university president at the time. "I had to think long and hard before stepping into that, because that was a huge risk for where I was at that point in my career," said Taylor. "Things were starting to roll with the inside groups. But to invest all that money on uniforms and instruments that are only usable for outside, and something that was going to be that much in the community eye, was a reach." After discussing it with his wife, Taylor decided it was something he had to do. Ron Cable, a former Arlington band director and UF alumnus, became his assistant. The Oiler Marching Brass debuted at Donnell Stadium in September 1998. As the university grew, Taylor formed two different concert bands: a wind ensemble comprised of 45 students, and the symphonic band which includes both students and community members. The groups practiced independently, then came together for concerts. Taylor took charge of the Findlay Civic Concert Band in 1987. He was skeptical about it at first, because it meant giving up his summers. "But, oh, what a joy," he said. "It's been a pleasure." Audiences average about 1,000 people at Riverside Park on Wednesday nights for the summer concerts. That series was canceled this year due to the pandemic. Taylor also formed the Flag City USA Band, the touring ensemble of the Civic Concert Band which did international tours. During the first trip in 1992, the group came home with a bronze medal from the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Taylor is now taking a yearlong break from music. "So I won't perform, I won't direct, I won't teach, I won't try to pick up any classes or anything. I just want to see for one year if there's anything to me other than music because, since I was a third-grader, this has been my focus," he said. Instead, Taylor plans to spend more time on projects around the house and with his parents, three children and seven grandchildren. "I don't think I'm done with music," he said, adding that he's already been asked to give music lessons to one of his grandsons. Wolf: 419-427-8419 jeanniewolf@thecourier.com