About
Meet Katherine (Kat) Pittman
Katherine Pittman, PhD (they/she) is a music educator and independent researcher based in the Hudson Valley, New York. They are a conductor and scholar of the American wind band tradition. With a background in the musical and visual languages of marching band and drum corps, Kat shapes her pedagogy through over a decade of experience, ongoing interdisciplinary research, and student and peer feedback.
Kat's ethnographic and archival research explores legacies of militarism, whiteness, masculinity, and ableism. Her dissertation constructed frameworks of listening and pedagogy which directly interrogate the racial and gender norms of the concert wind band that continue to obstruct reform based in principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her research and conductor practice works toward a critical pedagogy which brings wind band history and present-day ethics into dialogue with each other.
Kat also plays trombone in several concert bands and brass bands in the Hudson Valley. They are enjoying the opportunity to explore other musical endeavors (such as choral singing) since graduating with their doctoral degree from UC San Diego.
Research & Publications
Academic Press Publications
Contributions to Music Studies
"Mid-century American Wind Bands, Frederick Fennell, and White Masculinities," in Modern Brass Music Cultures – Practical Musical Experiences and Socio-Aesthetic Contexts, ed. by Christa Brüstle, David Gasche, Elisabeth van Treeck (forthcoming)
"Drum Corps, Nostalgia, and the Loss of an Idealized Past," co-authored with Alyssa Wells (forthcoming)
Scholastic Writings
Graduate School Research
Areas of Interest
Current and Future Projects
Kat has several writing and artistic projects in the works, including:
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Academic writing furthering her research on wind band education
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Non-fiction writing about non-monogamy and queer relationships
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Exploration of visual print-making media and crafting
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Arrangements for marching band and brass band
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
Kat was always open to opinion and gave people the chance to talk about whatever they
needed, as well as talked a bit about the social aspect of music and how these composers lived
their life. Every rehearsal felt like an open and comfortable space where we could connect and
play music.
Wind Ensemble Student, 2024
Kat is such a kind and thoughtful conductor and was able to pick up the pace easily even though it's her first quarter as conductor. I felt like this quarter in wind ensemble was a great quarter and we got good work done, and I think Kat was the main reason for it.
Wind Ensemble Student, 2024
Kat, you have truly been a godsend to us. Thank you for surviving and being supportive to me throughout all the insane chaos that's happened. Words aren't enough to express the positive impact you've had on us.
Pepband Student Officer, 2025