Pitzer and All That Jazz

Is that the next John Williams playing jazz at the Grove House? As a media scoring major at Pitzer College, Noah Straus ’26 has become a familiar go-to for storytelling through sound.

Straus has composed music for student films, fashion shows and even philosophical concepts. He has also played live music across The Claremont Colleges, from student bands to the Pomona College Jazz Ensemble. It’s all part of his aspiration to become a film composer.

“I’ve been able to experiment with musical expression and learn by experience in terms of how to write things in the conventional and unconventional sense,” said Straus.

Having designed his major, Straus is familiar with the unconventional. His curriculum incorporates the Intercollegiate Media Studies program and Pomona College’s Music Department (which houses the only jazz ensemble at the 5Cs). A self-designed major is a favored way for Pitzer students to curate their own rigorous education.

“I haven’t seen any student do a self-designed major in a throwaway kind of way,” said Straus. “They are always such thoughtful and unique fields of study. Pitzer meets them right where they’re supposed to be.”

Straus will attend USC’s Screen Scoring Master of Music program this fall, which has been his dream since he was 14.

Music 24/7

Straus’ passion for music started in childhood. His parents would often take him to listen to the Los Angeles Philharmonics under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel and John Williams. Straus learned how to play the piano at age five and the jazz guitar at age 14. This fall, Straus became the youngest member to be elected to the Board of the Los Angeles Jazz Society.

His father (alumnus David Straus ’90) brought him as a kid to Pitzer’s annual student-led Kohoutek Music & Arts Festival. This childhood memory came full circle when Straus co-organized the spring 2026 Kohoutek.

Straus has also thrived in Pitzer’s year-round music scene. He has joined fellow students to jam at the Mounds, the Grove House and the Shakedown Café.

“It’s the foolproof way of creating community and reminding us to be present,” said Straus. “We’re co-creating the music, not just the musicians on stage but also the audience.”

He considers music an element of human nature — whether you’re playing, dancing, singing or listening. His heart feels full every time he and his classmates enjoy music together.

Straus has also contributed to music in his academics. He recently received Pomona College’s Margery Smith Briggs Prize, which awards graduating seniors who have been particularly distinctive in the Music Department.

Expanding Worldviews

A broad liberal arts education matters as much to Straus as music. He is minoring in philosophy, which informs how he thinks about every facet of life. His humanities courses have ranged from the study of qì gōng to environmental philosophy.

“I like playing with unlimited possibilities,” said Straus. “At its core, philosophy is the practice of awareness and thoughtfulness.”

Pitzer’s core value of interdisciplinary learning has given Straus hope for the future, even amid uncertainty.

“Pitzer is privy to all the challenges in the world, as we are a socially, politically and environmentally active campus,” said Straus. “Our interdisciplinary academia allows students to also see the possibilities in all disciplines and all talents to make the world a better place.”

Pitzer has equipped Straus with the confidence to achieve almost anything.

“Being in an environment like Pitzer, where so many ideas and subjects and disciplines and artistic forms are connected, allows us not to feel limited,” he said.

Straus has found unlimited opportunities for involvement at Pitzer. His roles include being a tour guide, New Student Orientation leader, and music coordinator for the Grove House.

“Noah embodies the very best of Pitzer: intellectual curiosity, artistic brilliance, humility, and deep community engagement,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Andrés Fernández. “He has been an extraordinary student leader whose creativity, kindness and collaborative spirit have enriched every corner of campus life, from music and the arts to mentorship and community-building.”

Community of Kindness

What first stood out to Straus about Pitzer’s community was its sincerity and warmth.

“There is something magic about Pitzer,” he said. “The faculty, staff and students show up with love and kindness and joy for the world and for each other.”

The campus community showed up for Straus in a way that he’ll never forget. He lost his mother during his first semester, and his classmates surrounded him with enduring love and support.

“So many people were there for me and making it clear how much they cared about me being a part of this next chapter,” he said.

His mother’s spirit has stayed with him at Pitzer. He often visits the tree on the Mounds where he and his mother took a photo together during New Student Orientation.

“It was wonderful to have my mom, dad and younger brother all drop me off at school one last time,” said Straus. “I had a hard thing happen in my first semester. People who had also just showed up at school for the first time showed up for me. My level of gratitude is immeasurable.”