Bro. Curtis B. Taylor Sr.
May 30, 1951—December 6, 2020

Curtis B. Taylor attended South Carolina State on a band scholarship, where he excelled academically and pursued his love of music. He was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity through the Xi Psi Chapter and earned a commission in the Army after completing ROTC. After graduating, Bro. Taylor attended Cornell University, where he received a master’s degree in music theory and composition, becoming the first African American to complete his master’s degree in music at Cornell.

After completing his graduate studies, Bro. Taylor began his distinguished military career. He served for 26 years in many command and staff assignments around the world and retired in the grade of Colonel. While serving in the military, Curtis continued his involvement in music. He performed and directed many highly acclaimed musical productions and accompanied various choirs while serving as the Director of Music and Worship at Antioch Baptist Church.

Bro. Taylor joined the Pi Lambda Lambda chapter in 2010 and began sharing his musical gifts with the Talent Hunt Committee. He knew the value of the talent hunt program in developing performing arts students after benefitting from it himself while in high school. Bro. Taylor often performed as a guest artist during the chapter’s annual talent hunt programs and actively encouraged students to compete each year to gain more development and experience.

Bro. Taylor knew the importance of having highly qualified judges to fairly evaluate student performances in all categories of the performing arts. He was instrumental in supplying many qualified judges through his network of contacts. After each competition, Curtis made himself available to students and parents to explain and answer questions regarding the scores rendered by the judges, thereby providing constructive feedback to help in the development of the students. Over the years, this initiative grew into a feedback session that involves all the judges in a structured environment and has become one of the most impactful parts of the chapter talent hunt program.

Bro. Taylor departed this life in 2020, leaving a legacy of commitment to excellence in the performing arts. Curtis is survived by his wife of 47 years, Abigail Taylor, and three sons, who are members of Omega Psi Phi. In 2023, the Pi Lambda Lambda chapter unanimously approved naming the annual Talent Hunt Program in his honor.