Dr. Aaron Witek joined the faculty of Ithaca College's School of Music in 2018 as Assistant Professor of Trumpet. He held this same role from 2013 to 2018 at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) where he was part of the faculty ensemble in residence, Black Bayou Brass.
Maintaining an active performance schedule, Witek has performed throughout the United States, China, Australia and Bangladesh. His playing experience includes the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra (NY), Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (LA), Monroe Symphony Orchestra (principal, LA), Sinfonia Gulf Coast Orchestra (FL), Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (FL) and Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (FL), among others. As a soloist, Witek has performed with the International Shanghai Symphonic Band, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, Ithaca College Wind Ensemble, Florida State University Symphonic Band and the University of Louisiana Monroe Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. He is an award recipient, winning first place in the Historic Division of the National Trumpet Competition (NTC) and an International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Scholarship.
Witek has given recitals and master classes at many universities and conferences, including the ITG Conference; National Trumpet Competition; International Women's Brass Conference; Australasian Trumpet Academy; and the Texas, New York, Louisiana and Florida Music Educators Conferences. He has frequently been an adjudicator for the ITG Conference and NTC. In addition, Witek is in demand as a clinician and has worked with ensembles throughout the United States.
As a noted author, Witek has been published numerous times in the ITG Journal. His book entitled Gordon Mathie: The Treasured Legacy of a Master Teacher and Performer, published by WR Enterprises, was released at the 2014 International Trumpet Guild Conference. In May 2018, Witek released his first publication with Mountain Peak Music entitled Solo Duet Training for Trumpet.
Students who study with Witek have seen various successes, including International Trumpet Guild Scholarships, division finalist positions in the Music Teachers National Association Competition and semifinalist selections in the National Trumpet Competition. Witek was recognized and presented with two awards from ULM: The Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching and the College of Arts, Education and Sciences Dean's Award of Excellence. While a graduate student at Florida State University, he was the recipient of a Teaching Achievement Award. During his time at FSU, he also directed the trumpet ensemble, a group that had been a finalist at the NTC several times and won second place. Since 2001, Witek has been involved with the marching arts activity as an instructor and designer. He has been Brass Pedagogical Coordinator for the ten-time Drum Corps International World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and Assistant Brass Caption Head at the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.
Witek earned a Doctorate of Music in Trumpet Performance from FSU, where he also completed his Master of Music in Performance. In addition, he received his Bachelor of Music in Education at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. His principal teachers have included Christopher Moore, Bryan Goff, John Ellis and Alex Jokopi.
