Premiere Performance
UNT Wind Symphony
Eugene M. Corporon, Conductor

Auguries of Innocence

William Pitts is a composer, conductor, and arranger from Atlanta, Georgia. 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. He has completed graduate study in Music at North Georgia University and the University of Michigan.

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. Marching ensembles performing his arrangements have been recognized as Texas State Marching Band Finalists, along with Bands of America Regional Finalists, Regional Champions, and Grand National Finalists. His compositions and arrangements have been commissioned and performed across the United States, Brazil, and Australia. He has written works for and been commissioned by the University of North Texas, the Dallas Opera, Wake Forest University, the 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.

As a music educator, Pitts has served on the faculties of Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas, and Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in instrumental music, conducting, and music theory.

Auguries of Innocence

William Pitts Music