Director of Music

Dr. Brian Pfoltner received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Brian also holds degrees from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, and Morningside College, Sioux City, IA. Prior to beginning his studies 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. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Dr. Pfoltner was appointed Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in the fall of 2006. He oversees the entire music program directing the adult choir, bell choir and various instrumental groups. Brian spearheaded the creation of the Arts for the Soul—Music and Fine Arts Series at First Presbyterian Church and has served as the artistic and executive director since its founding in the fall of 2007. Brian has written and arranged many works for a wide variety of choral and instrumental ensembles. In 2008, Dr. Pfoltner was awarded the Nebraska Arts Council’s Distinguished Achievement Award for musical composition and in 2014 was awarded NAC’s Individual Artists Fellowship in composition.

From 1993 to 2006, Brian was a member of the music program at First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln. He played in the Plymouth Brass, wrote and arranged many pieces for brass and choir and conducted the choir on a number of occasions. His first recording, “Light From Out of Darkness,” was released in 2007. It contains many of his compositions and arrangements in live performances at First Plymouth Church.

Collaborative Pianist

Jeremy Duck completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in piano performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied piano with Dr. Paul Barnes and organ with Dr. Christopher Marks. Dr. Duck continues to sing in the chorus of Opera Omaha and with early music ensemble Cantare Omaha. He has performed world premieres by Dr. Tyler White, Michael Daugherty, Chris Rogerson, Bo Atlas, Dr. John Traill, Krista Connelly, Douglas Pierce, M Joseph Willette, Charlie Leftridge, and others.

Most recently, Dr. Duck performed in a mass choir at the Lincoln Center in New York City with Eric Whitacre, who both composed and conducted all the music.

Currently, Dr. Duck plays for the music program at Wahoo Public Schools, for services at Vine Congregational UCC, for Star City Chorus, and for the Lincoln Opera Project. Dr. Duck teaches piano at Nissa’s String Academy.