Milwaukee Festival Brass

Founded in 1985, Milwaukee Festival Brass is an exciting brass ensemble made up of volunteer brass and percussion players from all over Southeastern Wisconsin. Led by its highly regarded Director, Mark A. Taylor, they have added their own unique flair to a repertoire ranging from classics to contemporary selections using traditional British Brass Band instruments.

As highly regarded musical ambassadors for the great and vibrant city of Milwaukee, the award-winning Milwaukee Festival Brass supports its strong cultural foundation and is dedicated to developing younger brass and percussion musicians. The band is dedicated to advancing and maintaining a successful brass band of the highest possible musical quality. As a nationally recognized organization, we will strive to satisfy the musical ideals of our members while simultaneously nurturing audience awareness and establishing community support.

The Band is a state of Wisconsin registered 501(C)3 non-profit organization as well as a 509(A)2 Public Charity and is run by a member elected Board of Directors.

The Director

Mark A. Taylor is the Music Director of the national champion Milwaukee Festival Brass.  Dr. Taylor made his Wisconsin debut with the band in 2011 as a guest conductor and now serves as the ensemble’s full time artistic leader.  A conductor, educator, and performer in demand throughout the Great Lakes region, Dr. Taylor served five years as director of bands and coordinator of ensembles at Loyola University, and was a member of the music education faculty for the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

Dr. Taylor has received degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University; He is also a graduate with his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the University of North Texas and his principal conducting teachers have included John P. Paynter, Stephen G. Peterson, Dennis Fisher, and Eugene Migliaro Corporon.  Not only does this director conduct, but Dr. Taylor also performs as section percussionist with the Chicago Brass Band.  He is a member of the National Band Association, College Music Society, College Band Directors National Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  He, his wife, and son reside in Lake Forest, IL.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

President – Tyler Burmeister

Secretary – Al Floeter

Treasurer – Jacob Sellers

BOARD MEMBERS

David Grace

Breanna Staten

Business Manager

Tom Robertson - trobertson@mfbrass.org

Equipment Manager

Marty Kuphall