About
Dr. Matthew Halligan is a free-lance percussionist in the D.M.V. (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) that specializes in orchestral, marching, and contemporary percussion. In 2016, he graduated with a Doctorate in Percussion Performance (D.M.A.) from George Mason University where he studied with John Kilkenny, John Spirtas, and Joe McCarthy. Matt graduated with a Masters of Music from Eastern Kentucky University in 2009 where he studied with Jason Koontz. In 2004, he graduated from University of the Cumberlands with a Bachelors of Music Education where he studied with James Corcoran.
Since 2019, Matt has been working at the U.S. Naval Academy (in Annapolis, MD). He serves as the Director of Instrumental Activities for the Department of Musical Activities. Additionally, Matt is the Assistant Director of the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, the Percussion Caption Head, and the percussion music arranger. He also currently teaches at Northern Virginia Community College as the Percussion Professor (Alexandria campus). He currently is the Principal Percussionist with the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, the Principal Percussionist with the American Festival Pops Orchestra, and is a percussionist in the Virginia Grand Military Band.
In 2019, Matt taught at Stevenson University as the Percussion Coordinator for the S.U. Marching Band. From 2013-2019, Matt was an Adjunct Faculty Professor at George Mason University where he taught Applied Percussion Lessons, Percussion Methods courses, and served as the Assistant Director of the Percussion Ensemble. In 2014, he was the percussion music arranger for the Thomas More University Marching Band. Matt was the Director of Marching Percussion and the Percussion Music Arranger for The University of Maryland Marching Band from 2008-2011. In 2005, he taught The Marion Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps front ensemble and snare line. Matt was the Percussion Caption Head for the Racine Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2005. In 2004, he was a Graduate Assistant for the Eastern Kentucky University Drumline. He marched snare drum with Eklipse Indoor Drumline (W.G.I.) in 2003, was a marimba player with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps in 2002, and was a snare drummer with Scenic City Drum & Bugle Corps in 2001.
From 2005-2011, Matt served as the mallet section leader and as a percussion music arranger with “The Commandant’s Own” Marine Drum & Bugle Corps (at Marine Barracks "8th and I," Washington, D.C.). When Matt was serving with “The Commandant’s Own,” the unit performed for four presidents, in five countries outside the U.S., and collaborated with some of the world’s finest musical ensembles including several performances with the New York Philharmonic!
After separating from the Marine Corps, Matt has performed in the Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia areas with professional orchestras and musical ensembles including The Piedmont Symphony Orchestra (P.S.O.), Capital Wind Symphony, Choralis, the Virginia Grand Military Band, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra (P.A.C.O.) of Greater Washington, the Music and Arts Orchestra at Providence Presbyterian Church, The National Concert Band of America, The American Festival Pops Orchestra (performed as the Principal Percussionist), and as a percussionist for Washington D.C.’s The IN series at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
Dr. Halligan has taken part in several consortiums to commission new solo marimba and multi-percussion works. Additionally, he commissioned Dr. Jacob Kohut to compose The Devil Walks at Dawn for a solo multi-percussion setup and electronic accompaniment.
As a composer and arranger, Matt has composed solo percussion music including his newest works Blue Variations for solo snare drum plus tape, and Amazing Grace for solo marimba. He has also arranged music for "The Commandant's Own" Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, The University of Maryland, Thomas More University, and University of the Cumberlands marching bands, Sonus Brass Theater, The Music and Arts by Providence Orchestra, as well as for several high school bands in the Northern Virginia area.
Matt's sponsorships include Black Swamp Percussion, Innovative Percussion Inc., Sabian Cymbals, and Yamaha Percussion as a Performing Artist. Matt has enjoyed the partnership with these companies, and happily endorses their products.
