Taylor Road Middle School is one of 100 schools in the Fulton County School district. The Fulton County School System is one of the most unique school systems in the nation.
As the fourth largest school system in Georgia, and the largest charter district, Fulton has more than 13,000 full-time employees, including more than 6,800 teachers and other certified personnel, who work in 100 schools and 14 administrative and support buildings. During the 2011-12 school year, approximately 93,000 students will attend classes in 58 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, 16 high schools (includes two open campus high schools) and 7 charter organizations (some charters have multiple campuses but are considered one school).
The Taylor Road Band program has a total enrollment of approximately 350 students in grades 6, 7, and 8. From this enrollment are created five performing ensembles – The Taylor Road Green Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Little “Big” Band. The Green Band is created from two 6th grade classes. These classes are scheduled during the school day according to instrumentation. These are formal classes for which students earn full academic credit. Private instruction is strongly encouraged for all students. The Concert Band consists of 7th and 8th grade students and is created by combining two grade- level Concert Band classes. Concert Band is a formal class for which students earn academic credit. Students are placed into the Concert Band by formal performance audition. Chair placements within each section are determined by the most recent full band playing test. The Concert Band performs primarily Levels 2 to 3 concert band literature. The Symphonic Band consists of 7th and 8th grade students and is created by combining two grade-level Symphonic Band classes. Symphonic Band is a formal class for which students earn academic credit. Students are placed into the Symphonic Band by formal performance audition. Chair placements within each section are determined by the most recent full band playing test. The Symphonic Band performs primarily Levels 3 and 4 concert band literature. The Jazz Ensemble and Little “Big” Band meet outside of regular school hours and are open by audition only. Students do not receive academic credit for participation in the Taylor Road Jazz ensembles. Chair placements within each section are determined by audition.
Students from Taylor Road Bands are regularly placed in the Georgia Music Educators Association All State Bands, District V Honor Bands, and university/college honor bands. They also participate in GMEA District V Solo and Ensemble. Taylor Road Bands consistently receive superior ratings at performance evaluations and have been featured as a guest band at the 2020 Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference, the 2024 Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival, and the 2024 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival. The Little “Big” Band has participated in the Georgia State University Rialto Jazz for Kids program since its inception and were a featured performer at the 2023 Atlanta Jazz Festival Neighborhood Concert Series.
Rising 9th grade students from Taylor Road Bands become members of the award winning Chattahoochee High School Bands (CHATTAHOOCHEE BANDS WEBSITE).