Brian Pfoltner
musicdir@fpclincoln.org

Dr. Brian Pfoltner was appointed Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in the fall of 2006. In this position he oversees the entire music program, directs the adult choir and bell choir, and various instrumental groups, and has directed the creation of the fine arts series: Arts for the Soul—Music & Fine Arts at First Presbyterian. Arts for the Soul will be beginning its fifth anniversary season in 2011-12.

Dr. Pfoltner received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1995. Brian also holds degrees from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, and Morningside College, Sioux City, IA. Prior to beginning work at UNL, he was on the music faculty at Colby (KS) Community College. Brian was also a part-time music instructor at Concordia University in Seward from 1993 to 2009, directing various ensembles as well as teaching classes and applied lessons

From 1993 to 2006 Brian was an active member of the music program at First-Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, serving as composer/arranger-in-residence and assistant conductor, as well as playing trumpet in the Plymouth Brass. Since joining the group, he wrote and arranged over 50 works for the Plymouth Brass and the Plymouth and Abendmusik Choirs. The works range from brass quintets to hymns and pieces for large brass ensemble, organ and chorus. While at First-Plymouth Brian also conducted and arranged music for the Plymouth Youth Ensemble, an instrumental group which grew from 12 to more than 65 members during his time there.

As a composer and arranger, Dr. Pfoltner has already written and arranged several works for First Presbyterian, including an arrangement of Dubois’ "Seven Last Words of Christ", which was premiered in 2007, as well as many smaller works. Dr. Pfoltner's compositions and arrangements also include various other works for bands and choirs. His first recording, “Light From Out of Darkness”, was released in 2007, and contains many of his works in live performances at First-Plymouth Church. In 2008 Dr. Pfoltner was awarded the Nebraska Arts Council’s Distinguished Achievement Award for musical composition, the highest award given by that organization for individual artists.
While in Lincoln Brian has performed with such groups as the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, Nebraska Trumpet Ensemble, Lincoln Municipal Band, and the Third Chair Chamber Players. He is also a past conductor of the Lincoln Community Concert Band.