Matthew Valentine
Project Manager/Orchestrator
Before becoming a full-time arranger, composer and designer Matthew was Director of Bands at San Marcos High School in San Marcos Texas from 2018 to 2021. During his time there, the Rattler Band achieved several Division 1 Superior Ratings both in UIL Marching Contests, in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Assessments earning a Sweepstakes Rating in 2021, advanced to the Area D Marching Contest in 2018, and medaled in the US Bands Del Valle Competition. Previously, Matthew was the Associate Director of Bands at William B. Travis Early College High School in Austin ISD. While at Travis ECHS, he directed the Rebel Marching Band helping earn a UIL Marching Sweepstakes, conducted the wind ensemble, directed the mariachi ensemble, and assisted the Lively and Mendez Middle School Band Directors with their ensembles.
Matthew studied at Texas State University, where he received his Bachelor in Music Studies with a Texas All-Level Music Teacher Certification. While at Texas State University, Matthew studied with trumpet professors Jack Laumer and Dr. Keith Winking, wind conducting with Dr. Caroline Beatty and orchestral conducting with Dr. Carolyn Watson. In 2016, Matthew studied advanced conducting in Alessandria Italy at the Conservatorio Antonio Vivaldi with Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger and Cindy Egolf.
Before returning to finish his degree, Matthew served from 2010 to 2014 in "The Commandant's Own" United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps as a Lead Soprano Bugler, USMC Duty Bugler and USMC Funeral Bugler amongst his other duties. He received an honorable discharge from active duty service as a Sergeant of Marines in 2014. During his time in the United States Marine Corps, Matthew was also a music and visual instructor for The Robinson Secondary School Marching Rams, while teaching private trumpet lessons in Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland.
While at Texas State University, Matthew discovered music arranging/composition through Professor Stern's class, and began writing for the "I-35 Brass Ensemble" that same semester. During Matthew’s time both as an Assistant and Head Band Director he continued to compose music for his bands, ranging from warm-ups/scale studies, stand tunes, tuning chorales, sight reading studies, elementary recorder songs and full concert band pieces for high school and middle school.
From 2014 to 2017, Matthew was an Instructional Staff member for the Texas State University Bobcat Marching Band, where he previously served as the Drum Major during the 2009 – 2010 season. There he helped teach both music and drill, while helping the directors with their administrative and logistical duties. Matthew was also on the Brass Staff for The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016 and on the Music and Visual Instructional Staff for The Crossmen WGI Indoor Wind Ensemble in 2017. Matthew competed and advanced to the 2015/2016 National Trumpet Competitions in Pennsylvania and Georgia as a Semi-Finalist in both the large and small ensemble divisions.