Howard Taylor’s musical career began as a cornet player in the Salvation Army in the South West of England.

In 1993 he swapped the cornet for a baton and was appointed Musical director of Championship section Bodmin Town Band subsequently leading them to three successive South-West and Cornish Championships.

In 1997 Howard left the UK to become Musical Director of Waitakere Band in Auckland, New Zealand

The Brisbane Excelsior Band appointed Howard as Musical Director in 2002 after five successful years in Auckland, NZ, leading the Waitakere Band to National Championship status.

He has since led XLCR to remarkable contest successes unequalled in Australasia band history including eight State Championship wins, FABB (Federation of Australian Brass Bands) Australasian championship in 2013, eight Australian National A Grade Championships and three New Zealand Championship titles. Howard also led Brisbane Excelsior to two the All England Masters.

He held the position of Musical Director of the National Band of New Zealand from 2007-2009 until leaving for the UK in 2010 to work as resident conductor with the world famous Fairey Band.

Howard returned to Brisbane Excelsior as Musical Director in 2013. 

He has been employed as Musical Director and player with the Brisbane and QLD Music Festival.

His ground-breaking work with brass bands includes regular trips to Tonga to work with school bands and conductors (starting the very first National Youth Band of Tonga in 2016) and mentoring and adjudicating opportunities throughout Australasia. 

He has recently completed a Master of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.

Howard runs his own company Taylormade Music Australia, national distributors for all PInstruments (Pbone, Ptrumpets) and John Packer Woodwind and Brass.