George Engelmann received his BM from Boston University with a double major in violin performance and music education and MM in Music Education from the University of Houston.  Other educational experiences include:

• the Tanglewood Young Artists Institute (Summers 1976-1978),
• American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria (Summer, 1982);
• International String Workshop in Eisenstadt, Austria (July, 1987) and
• University of Illinois Conducting Seminar (June, 2007) and
• ASTA Workshop (July, 2007 and July 2009).  

He taught orchestra in Klein ISD for 12 years before coming to Katy ISD.  He has been the orchestra director at Taylor HS in Katy ISD for the past 16 years.   He is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and Mu Omicron.   His orchestras have consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes Awards, Best in Class Awards, and have placed in the finals of the TMEA Honor JHS and HS Orchestra competition ten times.   The Taylor High School Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Midwest Clinic: An International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois in December, 2011.  George resides in Katy with his wonderful wife Sheri, assistant band director at McMeans JHS in Katy ISD.  He has two awesome children Alexandra (a senior at the University of North Texas and future Orchestra Director!) and Garrett (a senior at Taylor HS and future car designer!).

TOPA is a non-profit organization made up of the parents of the orchestra students. 

President - Kathy Whitley
Vice President/Fundraising - David Hyder
Treasurer - Jenny Shi
Secretary/Publicity - Kathy Netland
Web Manager - Tobi and Jeroen Bet
Uniforms - Susan Empleo
Refreshments - Ida Aponte, Teresa Nguyen
Volunteer Coordinator - Melanie Whelan
Spirit Items - Janet Thomason
Recording Engineer - Ky Nguyen
Recording Engineer - David Hyder
Memorial Parkway Liason -
McMeans Liason -
Members at Large -
Programs - David Hyder
Charms Coordinator - Teresa Nguyen

Symphony (Full) Orchestra: This orchestra rehearses after school on Tuesday afternoons from mid-November until Mid-May. The Chamber and Philharmonic string classes constitute the string sections of the orchestra and the very top wind, brass, and percussion from the Taylor High School Band are invited to perform as members of this award winning varsity ensemble. This orchestra will perform at the UIL where they have earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at the UIL Orchestra Contest each Spring, Best in Class Awards at Spring trip contest on four different occasions and has placed as high as second in the state with the Texas Music Educators Association 5A Full Orchestra Contest.

Chamber String Orchestra (Select): This class is comprised of mostly seniors, juniors, and a few qualified freshmen and sophomores. Students in this class generally have been playing their instrument for four - five years minimally and are studying privately. They will perform grade five string and full orchestra literature. This orchestra will be asked to prepare an honor tape in the Fall for the TMEA 5A Honor String Orchestra Tape competition and a varsity string program in addition to the Varsity Full Orchestra that both classes will prepare for UIL . This orchestra will perform at the UIL where they have earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at the UIL Orchestra Contest each Spring The Chamber Strings Orchestra has placed as high as fourth in the state for the TMEA Honor String Orchestra competition. Regular attendance at weekly sectionals year round and full orchestra from November - May is expected. Each rehearsal and performance is for a major grade.

Philharmonic String Orchestra (Advanced): This class is comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores and a few upperclassman as well. Students in this class generally have been playing their instrument for three - four years minimally and are studying privately. This class will perform grade four and five literature string and full orchestra literature. This orchestra will perform at the UIL where they have earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at the UIL Orchestra Contest each Spring Regular attendance at weekly sectionals year round and full orchestra from November - May is expected. Each rehearsal and performance is for a major grade.

Concert Blue and White String Orchestras (Intermediate): These two classes is comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores and a few upperclassman as well and combine to perform as one orchestra. Students in this class generally have been playing their instrument for three - four years minimally and are studying privately. This class will perform grade three and four string literature. Regular attendance at weekly sectionals year round is expected. Each rehearsal and performance is for a major grade.

Taylor High School Orchestra

20700 Kingsland Blvd.
Katy, Texas 
281-237-3652

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