Since the retirement of both Big Sky’s choir and band directors at the end of last school year, there are two new faces in the Big Sky music department.

Jeffrey Taylor stands in front of the band room on October 24, 2025. Taylor is the Big Sky band director, and he also teaches both percussion ensemble and music technology. In a recent interview, Taylor said, “We had Porter here for our first concert, that was great as some of those students might join us next year and might wanna see what we are doing here.” Taylor proceeded to say “ My time here has been wonderful, it’s been very busy, a very active start to the school year.”

Taylor joined class on the drum kit that day on a piece called “Christmas Vacation.” When asked about the concert, Taylor said, “I look forward to it, we’re gonna have a wonderful winter concert in December. I’m already thinking about and preparing for that.”

Big Sky’s wind ensemble played while Taylor conducted on October 24. Taylor said, “It’s a different type of energy. It’s a different kind of energy to teach middle school students compared to more mature high schoolers.”

Amy Smart, Big Sky choir director, stands outside of her office where she does choir planning, October 24, 2025. Smart teaches choirs of many assorts, including beginning treble choir, Aesirian Choir, musical theater, life skills music class, intermediate mixed choir, and advanced choir. When asked about her new role at Big Sky, Smart said, “Our administrators are so wonderful and supportive, the other teachers are so much fun to work with.”

Smart looks out to her class during rehearsal on October 24. Smart said, “At C.S. Porter, kids didn’t choose to be in choir necessarily so if they weren’t in band or orchestra they had to be in choir, so it made for big classes and not as much fun most of the time, so being here has been great as people wanna be here.”

Smart plays the piano as her students rehearsed. In a recent interview, Smart said, “I am really looking forward to our December concert. MCT is coming to film it so it’s gonna be broadcast on their YouTube channel.” She continued. “I’m really looking forward to our events in the near future.”

Editor’s Note: Lazarus Loonsfoot is a part of the Big Sky band program