Kay Fairchild

One of Atlanta’s leading brass clinicians, Kay Fairchild, now in her third season as co-director of The Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble, continues her creative artistic partnership with her son David Fairchild. Held in high esteem by the metro-Atlanta community for her commanding presence, versatility and consummate musicianship, Ms. Fairchild is an Artist Affiliate in the Emory University Music Department. She serves as the Director of Brass Bands at Alan C. Pope High School in Marietta, Georgia and the brass staff at Lakeside High School in Atlanta. Prior to her appointments at Pope High School, Kay was the brass coordinator at Central and North Gwinnett High Schools. Additional coaching engagements include the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestras of Atlanta.

As a prolific educator, Kay's trumpet studio sets the standard around the state of Georgia. Her students regularly participate in the Georgia All-State Bands and Orchestras, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra, and district level honor bands. Under Kay's direction, the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble has performed at the Georgia's Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, Atlanta Trumpet Festival and the Western Carolina University Trumpet Festival. She led the trumpet ensemble in over a dozen performances throughout the southeast United States. In August 2004, the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble announced the launch of their annual Atlanta Trumpet Festival. Kay was instrumental in securing the residency at Emory University, with major support from the Coca-Cola Company, to fruition.

Before concentrating on education and conducting, Ms. Fairchild performed concerts all around the world, touring the United States, mainland China and Japan. She has performed with a variety of artists including Doc Severinsen, Timofei Dokschitzer and the Indigo Girls. Kay is a founding member of the Ivy Street Brass and is currently staff trumpeter for First Baptist Church of Decatur. Her professional affiliations include, but not limited to, AFM, ITG, TPIN, GMEA and MENC.