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Rowan Taylor was inducted into the World Who’s Who Hall of Fame in 1996 by the International Biographical Centre (Cambridge, England). Other honors from this organization include: International Man Of The Year (for both 1991 and 1992), inclusion in its publications 20th Century Award Of Achievement, Men Of Achievement, International Who’s Who Of Music, International Leaders in Achievement, 2000 Scholars Of The 20th Century and award For Meritorious Achievement and Most Prolific Symphonist.
He is listed in the new Strathmore’s Who’s Who. He has received these honors from the American Biographical Institute: Outstanding Man Of The Century (20th Century), Outstanding Man Of The Century (21st Century),Man Of The Decade (1990’s), Man Of The Year (1991, 1993, 1995), Who’s Who Of The Year (1994), World Intellectual Of 1993, and has been presented with three International Cultural Diplomas (Most Prolific Symphonist Of The 20th Century, Most Prolific Symphonist In History, Presidential Seal Of Honor). He is also listed in 2,000 Notable Men, The Most Admired Men and Women of 1993-1994, and Five Hundred Leaders Of Influence, 2,000 Outstanding Scholars of the 21st Century and the International Directory of Distinguished Leadership.
He is listed is Marquis’ Who’s Who In The World, Who’s Who In America, Who’s Who In The West, and Who’s Who In American Education. He is also listed in Five Thousand Personalities Of The World, The International Register Of Profiles, Personalities of America, International Who’s Who Of Contemporary Achievement, International Register Of Biography, and other such publications.
He studied composition with Leroy Robertson, Leon Dallin, Carl Fuerstner, Crawford Gates, Lukas Foss and John Vincent. His original works include an oratorio (Coriantumr), a sacred cantata, (O God, Where Art Thou?), an opera (The Birthmark, after Nathaniel Hawthorne), a full-length pageant (San Bernardino), a ballet (Poetry And Penny Candy) for Virginia Tanner’s Children’s Dance Theater, 46 concerti for various instruments, 10 rhapsodies, more than 1700 Bagatelles for piano solo, 2455 songs, and 258 symphonies. A world record was established in June 1995. Also, over 250 chamber works, and hundreds of other compositions and arrangements. His music has been performed on six continents. His works have been performed by the National High School Orchestra and The National College Orchestra (Interlochen, Michigan), The Burbank Symphony, The New Valley Symphony Orchestra, The Rio Hondo Orchestra, The Brentwood/Westwood Symphony Orchestra, The Seventh Division Band (in Korea and Japan), The Pierce College Symphonic Winds, The All Southern California MIA Festival Orchestra, The California String Quartet, The William Steed Woodwind Quintet, The Covina Stake Choir (with members of The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra), The San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with The West Valley Chamber Orchestra and numerous other groups. His concerti have been performed by Karen Lynn, Dawn Phelps Neal, Sam Rifkind, David Hoover, William Melton, Mike Roberts, Julian Friedman, Clyde Mitchell, Jonathan Wilson, William Bonness, Howard Anderson, John Schneider, Ron Anthony, Dennis Costa, Larry Munson, Lorraine Eckardt Kimball, Stefan Rado, Judith Rado, Erich Messerschmidt, Stephen Piazza, Priscilla Taylor, Craig Donkin, Phillip Letcher, Laura Caplan, Rowena Hammill, Norberto Guinaldo, Rachael Swearengin Lonergan, Aaron Malone, Melissa Sturm, Josephine Ha and David Blum.
He has conducted many orchestras, bands and choruses during the past 58 years. These include the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, The Burbank Symphony, The Brentwood/Westwood Symphony, The Los Angeles Civic Orchestra, The New Valley Symphony Orchestra, The National High School Orchestra and The National College Orchestra (Interlochen, Michigan), The Brigham Young University Symphony Orchestra, The Deseret Opera Guild, The Seventh Infantry Division Band, The East Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and a chorus of over 900 men. In the 1970’s he conducted a choir of about 375 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle with Roy Darley at the tabernacle organ. In 1972 he conducted a choir of 3500, an orchestra of 300 with audience participation of 18,000 in the Los Angeles Sports Arena. He was the first recipient of the Southern California Conductor’s competition for high school students in 1945, at which time he won a scholarship to Interlochen, Michigan. He also won a scholarship to Brigham Young University. He has played string bass under Leopold Stokowski, Thor Johnson and Nicolai Malko.
He studied conducting with Richard Lert, Lawrence Sardoni, William Knuth, Thor Johnson and Nicolai Malko. He was the founder of The West Valley Chamber Orchestra, The Pierce College Brass and Percussion Ensemble, The Deseret Opera Guild, and was co-founder (with Stephen Piazza) of The Pierce College Symphonic Winds. He was honored as a Pierce College teacher of the month. In early March of 2001 results of the www.gradeyourprof.com showed him graded highest among the professors at Pierce College and fifth highest in the United States. He is now in his 38th year at Pierce College. His latest award is a Gold Medal of Honor from the American Biographical Institute.
His greatest achievement is his wife, Priscilla, to whom he has been married for nearly forty-five years. His posterity includes nine children (one deceased), twenty-four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
In the Army he served in Korea, as a Chaplain’s assistant to Rabbi Chaim Potok, a now world-famous author (whose novels are all autobiographical). Our Korean experiences are retold in the novel Book of Lights. He calls himself Gershon Loran. He calls his assistant Roger Tat, thus preserving his actual initials. Potok credits Taylor with saving his life at least twice.
His A.B. and M.A. are from Brigham Young University. He did three years additional study at UCLA under Lukas Foss, John Vincent and Thomas Marrocco.