For 30 years, Kevin Lloyd has been directing the Linganore High School (LHS) band. 

In between hot July days spent at band camp, late nights returning from band competitions and trips to march in parades in Walt Disney World and New York City, Lloyd has certainly devoted countless hours to this musical group and left an incredible mark on his students. This beloved Linganore teacher will be retiring this spring. 

Although Lloyd may be leaving the school, his impact will long be remembered in the music department by students and fellow staff members. 

Sophomore flute player Kaydence Piere said, “Mr. Lloyd’s commitment to the band means so much to me … I appreciate his kindness, but also the honesty and realness about him.” 

Lloyd’s musical journey began from a young age when he began playing percussion. To continue to pursue this passion, he later attended West Virginia University (WVU) and studied music. 

“After finishing my Master’s Degree, I was an adjunct instructor at several colleges, including the University of Maryland, Shepherd University, Potomac State College and FCC,” Lloyd said. “But the prospect for full-time positions was limited, and we [Lloyd and his wife] wanted to stay close to our extended families.” 

 That was when Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) came into the picture. 

“In 1988, I accepted the Music Teacher Specialist position with FCPS,” Lloyd said. He then began working at LHS in 1995. 

Over his time at LHS, Lloyd has worked to expand the collection of musical instruments at the school, including instruments from different cultures and ethnic groups. Lloyd has also worked to expand the program from having marching, concert and jazz bands to also having an active percussion ensemble and music technology and theory classes. 

As a percussionist himself, Lloyd has worked to develop the percussion ensemble at Linganore. Each year, the percussion ensemble, led by Lloyd, competes in Keystone Indoor Drill Association (KIDA) competitions and has won the Best Percussion award at the Maryland Marching Band Association (MMBA) state championships. 

Junior saxophone player Isabella Tiger enjoyed playing the state championship this year and celebrating with the band. 

“Getting to play our marching band show in a large stadium (Towson) is a really cool experience, and I really enjoyed it,” Tiger said. “On top of that, I really enjoyed Linganore winning the best percussion award. After we left the stadium and were outside, Mr. Lloyd was taking pictures with everyone and even picked up one of the tiny percussionists in triumph. Everyone was really happy, and it was really awesome to see Mr. Lloyd win something at states for his last year.”

One  of Lloyd’s most fond memories from his career was watching his daughters, Erin and Kelly Lloyd, participate in the band at LHS. 

“I have wonderful memories of our daughters being around the band program when they were young; going to football games; attending marching band competitions, concerts and spring trips; and eventually becoming part of the band program at LHS,” Lloyd said. 

The band’s trips have been memorable for Lloyd. 

“The band has played several times in Washington, D.C. to honor our veterans with performances at the Lincoln Memorial and WWII Memorial, and it was a true honor to meet these American heroes and pay tribute to them,” Lloyd said. “We have traveled to Disney World twelve times and to New York City ten times during my tenure, and I have always enjoyed watching students experience new things on these trips and making lasting memories with their friends.” 

In the band’s most recent trip to Disney World in the spring of 2024, Lloyd had a surprise in store for him. 

Band members, chaperones and staff members all met in the Italy pavilion to celebrate Lloyd’s career and contributions to LHS Band. Desserts and refreshments were provided as members of the band mingled. The night closed with a fireworks display. 

“I will never forget the wonderful surprise birthday party that was hosted for me at the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT on our last trip; it was magical,” Lloyd said. 

“It was great to see the band members come together for such a great event and surprise Mr. Lloyd and his family for his last Disney band trip,” Pierce said. 

Pierce enjoyed the most recent trip to NYC in the spring of 2025 when the band  marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

“My favorite memory was when we were on our last band trip with Mr. Lloyd to NYC,” Pierce said. “He sang happy birthday to me with his wife and a few of my other friends in the hallway before going down to breakfast.” 

When asked what shaped him as a band director throughout his career, Lloyd said, “The main thing that has shaped my career has been a desire to do the best I possibly can for my students. I am always on the lookout for new opportunities for them, such as university honor bands and marching band days, concerts and workshops, guest artists, or anything else that can expand their experiences beyond the school campus.”

“Mr. Lloyd pushes me to do my best all the time,” said freshman flute player Sanjay Bhattacharya. 

“Mr. Lloyd has had a tremendous impact on the program,” Tiger said. “The amount of time he puts into the program is truly commendable.” 

While Lloyd’s contributions are immeasurable, Lloyd also recognized how the FCPS community has contributed to the incredible success of the band. 

“We have a wonderful group of music teachers in Frederick County, and I have learned so much from watching them, sharing ideas, and listening to their groups,” Lloyd said. “I have also been fortunate to have excellent band staff members, especially Jeremy Brown, and music teaching colleagues, especially Damon Dye, who are not only brilliant teachers and outstanding people but are two of my best friends.” 

Lloyd shared that he is also grateful for parents and families of students who have stepped up to make the band experience possible. 

“They have provided the financial assistance, dedication of time and a positive, can-do spirit that has made so many of the things we have done together possible.”

Most importantly, Lloyd is grateful to his wife, Beverly Lloyd, for all her support over the years. 

“I have an incredibly supportive wife who was willing to make this the family business, all while raising two children and being an award-winning teacher in her own right. Bev is the reason I’ve been able to do this for as long as I have, and I’m incredibly blessed to have her as my partner.” 

All in all, Lloyd will be dearly missed in the LHS Music Department, but his legacy will live on and his impact on the music department will last for years to come as students transition into a new phase of the LHS Band. 

You can follow along with the LHS Band on Instagram at @linganoreband