Jazz Band Director
Tim Dawson, Music Director
Percussionist, arranger, and retired MCPS Instrumental Music Teacher Tim Dawson is the Music Director for the Montgomery Blue Notes – a jazz band sponsored by the Montgomery Village Foundation. Tim has built his three-decade musical career in the DC area playing in a variety of ensembles including wind symphony, pit orchestra, rock bands, jazz ensembles and even a polka band. His formal studies at George Mason University prepared him for a career in music education, where he studied with John Casagrande, Anthony Maiello, and NSO Asst. Principal Percussionist Kenneth Harbison. A Maryland native, Tim was born in Annapolis, MD. He began playing professionally in 1976 and established himself in the metropolitan area music scene when he moved to Rockville, where he has resided since 1992. He still occasionally performs with other noted DC musicians and provides advanced percussion lessons for numerous music students.
Tim started out as the drummer in Blue Notes but was recommended for the job by previous director Perry Conticchio, when he left the ensemble. Tim views the Montgomery Blue Notes job as an extension of his teaching career. He views his craft as a labor of love where he can give back to the community and foster the growth of other aspiring jazz musicians.