Our Faculty

Our Directors

GRANT HORROCKS

Academic Director

Chair, Piano Department; Co-Chair, Braille Music Division

GRANT HORROCKS earned his degree in piano performance in 1971 from the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. In Canada, he composed music scores for feature films, documentaries, and musical theater productions. Since 1973, he has maintained a large private teaching studio. He was chairman of the Conservatory Division of SCCM from 1984 until 2005. During that time, he developed SCCM’s academic structure, produced quarterly recitals and special concert events, and developed music outreach programs at Braille Institute (Orange County), Francis Blend Elementary and Joaquin Miller High School, a public school for children who are challenged by moderate to severe physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities. He has been co-chair of SCCM’s Braille Music Division since 1992. During his tenure, Grant has created specialized repertoire and keyboard geography curriculum for blind students. As an Executive Board Member, he is president of the CTEVH (California Transcribers & Educators for the Visually Impaired) and chairman of the bylaws committee.

RICHARD TAESCH

Co-Chair, Braille Music Division; Chair, SCCM Guitar Department

RICHARD TAESCH has been a music educator since 1961 and joined the SCCM faculty in 1976. He founded SCCM’s Braille Music Division in 1992 and is SCCM’s principal instructor of braille music reading skills. Richard is certified by the Library of Congress in literary braille, braille music transcription, and literary proofreading. He is a State Music Specialist for California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped (CTEVH) and author of "An Introduction To Music For The Blind Student," "Introduction To The Piano For The Blind Student," "A Blind Music Student's College Survival Guide," and extensive journal articles. He is founder and editor of Music Education Network for The Visually Impaired (MENVI). His biography is listed in "Who's Who In America," 58th edition. Additional author credits include work for two years for Soundboard, Journal for Guitar Foundation of America - Commercial Guitar series, 1980's. Member, Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC); American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); Music Committee - National Braille Association; Individual member, National Association of Schools of Music.