WHITTEN

Will Whitten (b. 2002) is an award-winning composer, trombonist, and educator based in Flagstaff, Arizona. Recognized as an emerging voice in wind band and chamber music, Whitten’s work is characterized by a vibrant fusion of musical genres ranging from Klezmer to jazz fusion to hip hop, late 20th-century classical, and experimental music. His music explores the belief that no barriers should exist in music, fusing multiple genres within a single work as well as challenging instrumental hierarchies by exposing every member of an ensemble to as many facets of music-making as possible.

Whitten first started composing and arranging music as a co-founder and lead arranger for the Flagstaff Klezmer Orkestra (FKO). His interest in the Ashkenazi Jewish music tradition of Klezmer, viewed through a modern lens, eventually led to his breakout as a composer for concert band. His brass quintet, Zenith, marked the beginning of a compositional career focused on expanding the expressive capabilities of every instrument in the ensemble. Throughout the years, Whitten has composed and arranged for many groups, as his music has made him a finalist for the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young finalist in 2025, a recipient of the Student-led Projects in the Arts, Creative Activity, and Scholarship (SPARCS) award from Northern Arizona University in 2023, and the 2023-24 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award.

Whitten’s background is rooted in performance. From Drum Corps International, having performed with The Academy (2018–2019) and the Santa Clara Vanguard (2020–2021), to ensembles such as the Extra! Extra! Brass Band, F-Town Sound, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Interference Series, and many more ensembles, his unique experience deeply informs his compositional approach. Whitten believes that every member of an ensemble should be exposed to as many musical elements as possible.

Link to an article from Northern Arizona University: Undergraduate premiering klezmer composition 

For a composer to give melodic material to a flute, where the instrument has great dexterity and flexibility, is normal and is often employed in concert band music. However, giving a tuba or a percussionist the melody is not common because of the specific and "appropriate” roles these instruments are assumed to have in the band.  A composer should continue to develop their ideas, but with the effort to expose every instrument within the concert band to as many factors of musicianship as possible. This approach will not only elevate a musician's experience but also enhance the audience's experience as they will hear a diverse range of sounds and expressive qualities exhibited by each instrument. There should be no barriers between formal concert music and "popular" music. So, when composing, Whitten likes to draw inspiration from various musical genres as well as bring in elements from artists, such as Björk, Louis Cole, Tyler, the Creator, Masayoshi Takanaka, and Vulfpeck.

In addition to his creative output, Whitten is a passionate educator currently serving as a private lessons teacher for low brass and piano in the Flagstaff Area. Whitten holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Music Performance from Northern Arizona University’s Kitt School of Music. During his time at NAU and continuing forward, he studied under Dr. Rob Wallace, Dr. Julie Zhu, Dr. Erika Svanoe, and Dr. Kevin Day.