Matthew H
Instruments: Saxophone
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Blues, Funk, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Marching Band, Avant-garde
Matthew H
Instruments: Saxophone
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Blues, Funk, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Marching Band, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Bachelor Degree: Oklahoma State University, Course Work: Florida State University (Graduate School)
2021 - Florida State University Graduate Music Scholarship
2020 - Oklahoma State University Presser Scholar (Top Music Junior by Merit)
2020 - Jazz Educators Network Featured Ensemble (with OSU Jazz I)
2018-21 - OSU Jazz I Soloist
2017 - Oklahoma State University Honors Student
Matthew H. is a professional saxophonist, composer, and teacher based in Tallahassee, Florida. Matthew graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with minors in Jazz Studies and Music Theory/Composition in Spring of 2021, studying saxophone with Dr. Salinas and Dr. Poole, and studying composition and new music with Dr. Karaca, Dr. Poole, and Dr. Austin. Matthew is continuing his education with his Master’s in Music Composition at Florida State University in Fall 2021 alongside his professional work. As a composer, Matthew’s music is an amalgam of minimalism, jazz, and rock/alternative music through the lens of chamber winds. More recently, Matthew has been branching into ambient/electronic music with the goal of incorporating it into his chamber writing. As a saxophonist, Matthew has performed in a variety of settings and styles across the country. Matthew has performed as a member of an OSU ensemble at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conferences in Tempe AZ in 2020 as well as Cincinnati, OH in 2018. Matthew also performed in the 2019 NASA Region IV conference in Fayetteville, AR as well as the 2021 Region IV Online Conference hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio. Matthew was a member of the critically acclaimed OSU Jazz Orchestra from 2018 to 2021, performing on tenor and baritone saxophonists as a soloist and ensemble member. Matthew has also performed in a variety of chamber ensembles, including the Paradigm Saxophone Octet, the N Pier Quartet, the Coral Quartet, the OSU Saxophone Ensemble, as well as numerous duos with students and faculty. Matthew is a champion of new music, premiering works by Danielle Fisher, Michael Daugherty, Tyler Austin, Kyle Fisher, and himself. As a teacher, Matthew has worked with a variety of styles and ensembles, including the Guthrie HS Marching Band (Guthrie, OK), the Morris HS Jazz Band (Morris, OK), the Frontiers New Music Ensemble (Stillwater, OK), and the Oklahoma State Symphonic Band (Stillwater, OK) among many other chamber groups. Matthew has extensive experience leading both small groups and individual study alongside experience as an ensemble coach. Matthew is heavily influenced by music from the 70’s, drawing is primary influences from the work of Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Herbie Hancock, and George Harrison in addition to art music composers such as Adam Schoenberg, Leos Janacek, David Maslanka, and Marc Mellits. Matthew’s music focuses on the self and its relation to the natural world, seeking to create spaces for personal reflection and interpersonal growth. Matthew’s main focus in on music for chamber winds, as the intimacy of the ensemble, allows for the greatest flexibility and intimacy while maintaining just enough players to still bring a lot of energy to the table.
I have experience teaching since high school, as I was a prominent member of the marching band and was given teaching responsibilities starting my sophomore year in 2014. Since then, I've taught marching band small groups, wind band sectionals, chamber group coachings including brass quintets and saxophone quartets, and some larger chamber groups of woodwind, brass, and percussionists. I have also been a member of various jazz combos from 2015 to 2020, organizing setlists, personnel, and gigs. I've been taught by some phenomenal saxophone pedagogues of jazz, classical, and avant-garde schools, including Dr. Jeffery Loeffert, Dr. Thomas Poole, Dr. Geoffery Deibel, and Dr. Eric Troiano.
I believe the cornerstone of any good music education is finding your passion for music and seeking out the best way to pursue it. With younger students, I'll guide them more in their pursuits by introducing them to more standard repertoire within the saxophone standards before branching out into more specific studies as I would for older students. Either way, all students will be taught a firm foundation in basic theory, such as identifying key signatures and a firm understanding of their scales. My goal would be to prepare them for further study in music parallel to any school band experience they may currently have, and students would be encouraged to bring in music that they're working on outside of lessons if they need additional help.
The most important step in ensuring a student gets focused instruction towards their plans is to come up with a teaching plan for what they wish to accomplish, either with the student or parent/guardian depending on their age and experience. My style incorporates music theory, standard repertoire, and ear training into their lessons so that they have a well-rounded understanding of music and how to better engage with it in the real world. I hope to help students find their passion by showing them how much they can do with such a versatile instrument as the saxophone, allowing them to pursue their interests wherever they may lie. I want to help my students help themselves in giving them the tools to continue their study past what I can give them and encourage life long learning.
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