For two Pittsburg State University music students, this year’s homecoming game will be more than a performance. It will be an opportunity to hear their own compositions come to life on the field.
Brett Backerman and William Swisher, both music students at Pitt State, have composed original pieces for the Pride of the Plains Marching Band’s Homecoming field show. Backerman wrote the first and third movements, while Swisher composed the second, giving both students the opportunity to share their creativity with a public audience.
Backerman, a percussion performance major, titled his movements “The Circle of Life” and “The Way It Ends.” Drawing inspiration from composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, Backerman said he wanted his music to capture a range of moods.
“The characteristics of the piece, I would like to think, are light and playful. And they can also be heavier and more intense,” Backerman said.
While Backerman has spent years developing his composing skills, the homecoming show marks his first time composing music for a full marching band field show. He has previously written stand tunes and drum cadences since he started composing in eighth grade.
“It’s sweet, I’ve wanted to compose a full field show for a while, and this is one major step of getting there. I’m really excited for it,” Backerman said.
Swisher, a double major in percussion performance and piano performance, is also taking an important step in his musical career. Although he has been creating music for years, the homecoming performance will be the first time one of his original compositions is presented publicly.
“I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been making stuff and far before I put paper to pen and writing music, I was making music on crappy middle school, elementary school iPads using GarageBand,” Swisher said.
Swisher’s movement, titled “Cycles,” begins and ends with a horn fanfare. His musical influences include Latin jazz and jazz fusion, which helped shape the piece’s sound.
One feature of the composition is its use of an Arabic scale, which Swisher said adds a distinctive sound to the music.
“It gives it a very exotic vibe,” Swisher said. “It’s just something that makes me happy. I don’t know what it is about the sound, but it just tickles something in my brain.”
For both students, composing has become a way to explore their interests beyond performing. Backerman’s experience has primarily focused on marching band, but he has also looked into writing chamber and wind ensembles.
He hopes to continue performing after graduation while focusing largely on composing music. Backerman said the energy of marching band, particularly the percussion section, is part of what keeps him interested in the activity.
“I like it, it’s loud, it’s energetic. The drumline has really crazy rhythms. So, it’s sweet, I like it,” Backerman said.
Swisher also hopes the homecoming performance will be the beginning of more opportunities to share his work before graduating. However, he said putting an original composition in front of an audience can be intimidating, even after years of performing music.
“Part of that is you are your own worst critic and it’s scary to put stuff out there. It’s just hard to do. So, I’m excited for people to hear what is basically my debut piece,” Swisher said.
Both students credit others with helping them pursue their musical goals. Backerman said Pitt State faculty members Dr. Wilson and Dr. Ross have helped develop his compositions and encouraged his creativity.
“I’ve had a lot of help from Dr. Wilson and Dr. Ross for my compositions, and they’ve inspired me a lot to create what I’ve created, so I’m really excited for that,” Backerman said.
For Swisher, the decision to pursue music was influenced by his high school band teacher, Jeffrey Russell. Swisher initially planned to become an emergency medical technician and questioned whether music was a realistic career path.
Russell helped him recognize that pursuing music professionally was possible, even if the path was difficult.
“He helped show me that music is real. You know,” Swisher said. “You can chase your dreams, and though it might be hard you can fulfill them. The life I’ve chosen is not an easy one but it’s the one I’m sticking to.”
Although their musical influences and experiences differ, Backerman and Swisher share a goal of continuing to develop as composers. Their homecoming performance offers both students a chance to take their work beyond the classroom and onto the field, where the Pitt State community can hear their original music.
