William Pitts

Biography

William Pitts (b. 16 June 1986, Atlanta, Ga.) is a composer, conductor, and arranger from Dallas, Texas. Growing up in Carrollton, Georgia, Will began his musical studies in piano and choir at age seven, saxophone in grade five, and began his conducting studies in grade seven. Pitts graduated summa cum laude from Emory University, where he studied saxophone, conducting, and composition. He was the first student to complete an Honors Project in both Conducting and Composition. Will also earned teaching certification from North Georgia College and State University.

Pitts served as a conductor of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps of Rockford, Illinois, for three years (2005, 2007-2008). He was a finalist for DCI's Jim Jones Leadership Award all three years. In 2008, the Regiment took first place honors as World Champions at the Drum Corps International Finals. Will was also honored as Regiment's 2008 Mark Glasscoe Member of the Year. He has also served on Regiment's management and teaching staff.

Pitts is active as a music designer, adjudicator, and instructor for high school band programs throughout the country. His compositions and arrangements have been commissioned and performed across the United States and Australia. He has written works for and been commissioned by the University of North Texas, Wake Forest University, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble, The Vega String Quartet, the Atlanta Saxophone Quartet, the Northwinds Symphonic Band, horn virtuoso J.D. Shaw, tuba virtuoso Christian Carichner, and numerous high school and collegiate wind and chamber ensembles. He has also served as a production consultant and talent for Tom Blair, Inc., Drum Corps International, and MTV.

Pitts' recent Honors and Awards include the 2008 Katherine Blumenthal Award for Composition, the 2009 Emory University Music Department Nominee for the Sudler Prize in the Arts, and the 2010 Award Recipient of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Band Directors Association Grant for Young and Emerging Wind Band Composers. Pitts is currently Assistant Director of Bands at Duncanville High School in Duncanville, TX, where he is Director of Jazz Studies, Music Arranger and Composer for the Duncanville High School Marching Band, and teaches the Symphonic "Red" Band.

Works for Winds

Resources

Prendergast, Curran. "Auguries of Innocence." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 11, Compiled and edited by Richard Miles, 706-713. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2018.
William Pitts Music
Wiltshire, Eric. "afterlight." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 11, Compiled and edited by Richard Miles, 315-322. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2018.