Director and Staff
Stewart Schlazer is a native of Hollywood, FL and a summa cum laude graduate of Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Composition. While at FSU, he studied Bassoon with Jeff Keesecker and Amy Yang; Composition with Ladislav Kubik, Clifton Callender, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, and Richard Zarou. He has played piano since he was in kindergarten, and guitar/bass since the 6th grade.
Mr. Schlazer joined the Taylor County High School faculty in 2009 as Director of Band Activities. His goals for the performing ensembles are many... Mr. Schlazer conducts the TCHS Concert Band, is the director of the Pride of Taylor Marching Bulldogs, teaches courses in beginning piano, guitar, electronic music, percussion, and music appreciation.
Mr. Schlazer holds professional affiliations in the Florida Bandmasters Assocation, Florida Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, and Society of Composers, International.
Heather Whorton is a native of Genoa, Ohio. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education in 2006. While attending BGSU, Heather was an active member of the BGSU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, as well as the Clarinet Choir and the Falcon Marching Band, where she served as drum major.
Mrs. Whorton joined the Taylor County music staff in 2006 where she began her teaching career at Taylor County Elementary School. While at TCES, she improved the music program by adding a beginning 5th grade band. She now teaches the Taylor County Middle School Bulldog Band, instructing a beginning 6th grade band, as well as 7th and 8th grade symphonic and marching bands.
Professionally, Mrs. Whorton performs on clarinet in Tallahassee Winds, a large professional community concert band ensemble in the spring. She also holds memberships with the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, and Music Educators National Conference.