Mathew “Mat” Aaron Campbell (b. 1992) originally hails from the La Hermosa barrio in San Benito, a small town in the Rio Grande Valley in Deep South Texas. After learning to make the most of his limited resources, he has turned to using his unique, speech-impeded voice to build a career of collaborative opportunities between the Rio Grande Valley and the rest of the world.

He earned his Bachelor of Music in Education from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he studied with multiple teachers, including percussion and composition with Dr. Joe W. Moore III. After teaching as a percussion director in Texas, Campbell attended Oklahoma City University and graduated with High Honors and induction into the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of the Pi Kappa Lambda Society. He earned a Master of Music in Music Composition and Conducting in two years under Dr. Edward Knight and Dr. Matthew Mailman, respectively.

As a regularly commissioned composer, guest conductor, and adjudicator, Mat has collaborated with various educators and musicians throughout the United States. He has conducted his works at The National Flute Convention, ClarinetFest, and the Texas Music Educators Conference. His music has been programmed by conductors and ensembles in the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, and Asia, and at events such as the National Conference of Percussion Pedagogy, New Music on the Bayou, the Inaugural Central Washington University New Music Festival, and various instrumental conferences such as The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. His music has been reviewed in publications such as Percussive Arts Society’s Percussive Notes and International Clarinet Association’s The Clarinet and included on the Bandworld Top 100 List. His music is available through C. Alan Publications and his website store.

His piece Into the Void: A Study in Disembodied Consciousness received first prize in the SATB Chorus and Percussion (3-5 Players) Category of the 2015 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest. In his dedication to providing other composers this opportunity, he currently serves as a member of the PAS Composition Committee.

While forming an ever-evolving freelance career as a creative, Mat uses his proficiency in notation and music production software to elevate his solo ambitions or projects with others in various capacities to the next level. Over time, this list has grown to include the roles of arranger, sound designer, engraver, and collaborator across stage, studio, field, and genre.

Website: http://MatCampbell.com