The Queen City Freedom Band provides for the education and musical development of its members and community, presents music-based programs for public benefit and for charitable purposes, promotes visibility of LGBTQ+ community and their allies, and builds understanding between and among LGBTQ+ and other communities.

We believe that all talent is worthy of development and that visible artistic expression improves our communities’ health

Dr. Jon Noworyta, Artistic Director

Jon Noworyta is the Artistic Director of the Queen City Freedom Band. He is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Instrumental Activities, and Educational Outreach at the University of Indianapolis. There, he administers all aspects of the woodwind, brass, and percussion area, teaches basic and advanced conducting and courses in music education, and conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Pep Band, and opera. A versatile conductor who is equally comfortable with orchestras as wind and brass groups, Noworyta is the Director of the Crossroads Brass Band of Indianapolis, IN, and the former Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. Ensembles under his direction have given notable local, state, national, and international performances, the most significant being Carnegie Hall in 2009, the 2010 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (rehearsal lab), and the 2012 Music for All National Festival. Noworyta has led groups at such legendary venues as Chicago’s Symphony Center, the Kennedy Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Carnegie Hall.

Noworyta’s professional affiliations have included the NAFME, CBDNA, WASBE, NABBA, NBA, Pride Bands Alliance, GLSEN, the Conductors Guild, and the Indiana, Illinois, New York (NYSSMA) and Ohio Music Educators Associations. He currently sits on the Committee for Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion for the North American Brass Band Association, is listed among the Who’s Who in America Educator’s Edition, and is a founding member and on the advisory team for the 32,000+ member “Band Director” Facebook group. Noworyta shared his personal-professional story in “Out In Front: Queer Identity and Visibility in the Wind Band,” a compilation of queer career and coming out stories included in the recent GIA publication The Horizon Leans Forward… stories of courage, strength, and triumph of underrepresented communities in the wind band field by Erik Kar Jun Leung. 

A Western New York native, Noworyta holds degrees from Baldwin-Wallace University (BME), Northwestern University (MM), and the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati (DMA). Additional study as a participant in conducting workshops at the Eastman School of Music, the New England Conservatory, and the Juilliard School, has given Noworyta the opportunity to work with the major conducting pedagogues in the field today.

Currently, the QCFB has the chance to purchase a set of 5 timpani from a local high school. We have already taken possession of the timpani with a down payment. We must fundraise the money by April 2025 to keep the timpani. This is a great set of Ludwig timpani for a reasonable price. With some new drum heads and a little bit of cleaning, they will be a valuable addition to the QCFB’s musical capacity!

This fund will cover the cost of the timpani, new drum heads, a truck to pick them up, and a new stool used to play the timpani. In the event this fundraiser is not able to meet its goal, the timpani will be returned and funds raised will be held for a future timpani purchase project.

Donors can support with card payments, Venmo, Paypal, ACH, and Donor Advised Funds on Givebutter. We also accept cash or checks made out to the QCFB. Reach out to Fundraising Board Member Jackson Weber at [email protected] for more information.

Visit GiveButter.com/QCFBTimpani for more information or to donate.