Staff Biography
Matthew Nordhausen -
Pit/Percussion Instructor
Percussionist, Matthew Nordhausen is originally from Hilton, New York, where he studied the art of percussion with Mr. Timothy Stodd. Upon completing high school, Matt attended Fredonia State University majoring in both History and Music Education, and continuing his study of percussion with both Dr. Kay Stonefelt and Mr. John Bacon. Matthew also completed a Master of Music Performance degree in Conducting at Fredonia State University, where he studied with Dr. Paula Holcomb.
Matt continues to perform regularly as a freelance percussionist and conductor for area musicals, plays, and shows, with groups such as Batavia Rotary and Westside Theatre Productions. He also performs with the Roberts Wesleyan College Community Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Paul Shewan. In addition, he is the drummer/percussionist for Point of View Entertainment’s Rock-Cover Band and Jazz Trio (www.pointofviewband.com), which perform throughout the Western New York area. An avid instructor and performer alike, Matt has taught and performed with both the Rochester Crusaders (03, I&E Small Ensemble Champions), and the Empire Statesmen Drum & Bugle Corps (96, 97, 98, 04, 05 & 06). He is pleased to be returning to the Statesmen family for the 2008 season.
Aside from his performance activities, Matt has been very involved in several groups and organizations. He is currently an active member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), New York State Field Band Conference (NYSFBC), Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and is currently the president of the Genesee-Wyoming Music Educators Association (GWMEA).
Over the course of his career, Matt has been the recipient of several awards and honors, such as the 2001 Fredonia Concerto Competition, which allowed Matt to perform as a featured soloist on xylophone with the Fredonia Symphony Orchestra. He has been inducted into both Phi Alpha Theta, an international history honor society and Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honor society. Matt was also the first recipient of the Morris R. Poummit Concert Master Award in May of 2001.
Compositionally, Matthew arranges for several New York State field bands and is published with Imagine Music Publishing, Inc. (www.imaginemusicpublishing.com) where he writes and arranges for an assortment of percussive mediums. Currently, he teaches percussion privately out of his home in North Chili, NY, where he lives with his wife and fellow Statesmen front ensemble member, Jessica. In addition, Matthew is an instrumental music teacher for the Le Roy Central School District (www.leroycsdmusic.com), as the Director of the Wolcott Street School Band, Jr. High School Band, Marching Band (04, 05 & 07 NYSFBC State Champions), Percussion Ensemble and 6th Grade Jazz Ensemble.
