MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Matthew studied at Trinity College in London gaining an Honours Degree in Bass Trombone, Opera Studies, Conducting and Composition. Matthew has also completed the ABRSM in Conducting. Joining the Royal Air Force in 1992, he was appointed as a Director of Music in 2008.
During his tour at RAF College Cranwell he was the Director of Music for both the Band of the RAF Regiment and the Band of the RAF College. In 2016 Matthew took command of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Northolt, London.
Matthew has had many notable moments as a Director of Music including a tour of India, Proms in the Park featuring Brian May and Kerry Ellis, conducting music from the Disney film Brave at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Birmingham Tattoo, RAF in Concert at the Manchester Bridgewater Hall, conducting Alexander Armstrong at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance (Royal Albert Hall) televised on the BBC, on public duties at Buckingham Palace, and at many other high profile ceremonial and public events.
In 2017 Matthew was asked to be the Musical Director for the Dame Vera Lynn 100th Birthday Celebration at the London Palladium in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. As well as conducting the RAF Squadronaires and RAF Salon Orchestra, he was also instrumental in delivering the concert including writing and composing some of the music and managing all musical requirements for the celebrity appearances.
As a Director of Music, Matthew was instrumental in recording the music of the Bands of the Royal Air Force. He personally oversaw the recording, and was the conductor for American Legends, Tribute - the arrangements of John Martindale, Sleigh Ride - RAF, Alexander Armstrong - In Winter Light, and the Dame Vera Lynn 100 CD which received Gold Disc status after becoming the biggest selling album by a female in 2017.
Away from the Royal Air Force, Matthew has been a Musical Director for many musical theatre productions and concerts throughout the UK.