Pitt State Music Department

Music has a special way of marking life's most important moments.

This evening, Pitt State music students and alumni joined a few Pittsburg High School students for Jammin' for Josiah, a tribute to the late Josiah Fletcher held each year on his birthday. For three of our seniors, the evening carried special meaning: they once played alongside him in jazz, marching, and pit bands.

Josiah's love for music inspired the creation of the Josiah Fletcher Foundation, which each summer sponsors the jazz camp taught at Pitt State by our faculty and alumni. This year, the foundation also began purchasing instruments for area high schools, ensuring future musicians have access to making music!

On Oct. 11, enjoy an afternoon of brilliance as three Music faculty step into the spotlight alongside the SEK Symphony at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts.

Sharing their artistry through captivating performances will be:

Dr. Joanne Britz (Clarinet)
Dr. Marie Smith (Horn)
Dr. Reena Natenberg (Piano)

This marks the season opening concert for the symphony, directed by Dr. Ramiro Miranda and comprised of students, faculty, alumni, and community members.

Experience the passion, dedication, and musicianship of seasoned professionals and masters of their craft!

Tickets at the door:
• $12 general admission
• $8 for ages 17 and under and 65+
• Pitt State students, faculty/staff, and retired faculty and staff: free

Tickets in advance:

• $10 general admission
• $6 for ages 17-13 and 65+, or retired faculty/staff
• Children ages 12 and under, Pitt State students, faculty/staff, and retired faculty and staff: free
• $5 group tickets (10 or more, purchased in advance only)

The PSU Wind Ensemble kicked off its season Thursday at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts for an enthusiastic audience! A highlight was the world premiere of a composition by Mexican composer Rodrogo Martinez Torres.

Directed by Dr. Andrew Chybowski, the Wind Ensemble is open by audition to the finest wind and percussion players at Pitt State.

Future performances include:

Nov. 15 — Celebrating Pittsburg's 150th, featuring the world premiere of a composition by Dr. John Ross, with text by English Professor Laura Washburn and featuring the PSU Choirs, SEK Symphony, and vocal soloist Patrick Howle.

Feb. 21 — A performance of Vincent's Sky by Jake Runestad in collaboration with the PSU Choirs; and Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs by Leonard Bernstein featuring Dr. Joanne Britz.

April 25 — A collaboration with Grammy Award-winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird.

May 6 — Four State Honor Band Festival performance.

Just a little teaser of photos from last night's PSU Wind Ensemble concert — aren't they stunning in grayscale?!

Photo credit: Kaylee Dillow, a Communication major and Music/Photography minor who plays percussion in the marching band and the symphony at Pitt State!

We'll share the entire album soon!

Do you recognize a Gorilla in this photo? (There are a lot of them!)

These current music majors and music alumni comprise the pit band for the Disney musical "Frozen," being produced this weekend by Pittsburg Community Theatre at Memorial Auditorium — another great opportunity for them to do what they love! They are directed by music alum Andrea Dinkel ('08).

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Break a leg, Gorillas!

You'll hear some fantastic music by Hispanic composers at Thursday evening's PSU Wind Ensemble concert at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts , and our very own Isaac Hernandez, who earned his master's in piano performance at Pitt State in '23, will perform as a soloist.

Isaac also graduated with honors with a degree in piano performance from the National Autonomous University in Mexico City, Mexico. As a performer, Isaac has been a soloist with numerous orchestras internationally and in the U.S.

In 2021, he won first place in the graduate level competition hosted by the Kansas Music Teacher's Association. In 2023, he was the first prize winner of the piano competition hosted by the Treble Clef organization.

He and his wife, Frida Herrara, co-founded and are directors of the Hispanic Music Festival .

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public!

You have two incredible opportunities to hear masterful musicians on Sunday, Oct. 4:

1. At 4:00 p.m., the Sons of Brasil will take the stage at the Bicknell Center for an irresistible blend of bossa nova, samba, choro, and contemporary Brazilian jazz. You'll hear authentic rhythms, rich melodies, and world-class musicianship.

2. At 7:30 p.m., Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Charlie Porter will present a classical recital on stage at McCray Hall. Porter is renowned for his fluid, expressive sound and innovative original compositions, and has captivated audiences at leading venues and festivals around the world.

Both concerts are free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door to help offset the costs of the Midwest Trumpet Festival.