Robert Dierdorf has been the Choir Director at Katy High School since 2004. Since that year, the Choir has grown in numbers and in both individual and group successes. The 2011-2013 school year will be his 30th year of teaching high school Choir. Before taking the position at Katy High School, Mr. Dierdorf taught at three other high schools: Andress High School in El Paso ISD, Montwood High School in Socorro ISD, and Westside High School in Houston ISD.
A graduate of Coronado High School in El Paso, Mr. Dierdorf attended the prestigious Indiana University School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree with High Distinction in Composition, studying with Bernhard Heiden, a pupil of Paul Hindemith. He went on to earn a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting, studying conducting with Alan Harler, Jan Harrington, and Robert Porco, and choral literature with Julius Herford, a teacher of Robert Shaw. Mr. Dierdorf returned to El Paso to earn his Texas Teacher Certificate at the University of Texas at El Paso. Further post-graduate work was at the University of Texas at Austin, studying conducting with Morris Beachy and choral literature with Fiora Contino.
Mr. Dierdorf is the Music Assistant at the First Baptist Church of Katy and has been on staff at many churches since he was in sixth grade, serving as pianist, organist, choir director, and handbell director.
Mr. Dierdorf and his wife, Debi, have been married for over thirty years and have two sons, Justin and Brendan, who are both college students. He is an active member of Texas Music Educators Association.
The 2013-14 school year will be Mr.
Taylor’s first at Katy High School. He
is tremendously excited about joining the Katy program and looks forward to
working with Mr. Dierdorf and the students of Katy High School as the choir
continues to grow in the upcoming years.
Prior to coming to Katy High School, Mr. Taylor served as Director of
Choirs at Roosevelt High School in San Antonio.
Mr. Taylor graduated Summa Cum Laude from Stephen F. Austin
State University where he earned both a B.M. in Music Education and an M.M. in
Choral Conducting. While at S.F.A., he
had the distinct privilege of studying choral conducting and literature with
Dr. Tim King as well as founding and directing the S.F.A. Men’s Chorus. From 2009-2012 he served on the staff of
Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church as Director of Music.
Mr. Taylor, his wife Kylie, and
their newborn son Anderson are thrilled to call Katy home and look forward to
all that the future has in store.
