Dr. Matthew Halligan is a free-lance percussionist and a conductor in Virginia that specializes in band conducting, percussion performance, drum corps and marching band composition/arranging and drill writing. 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.

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Since 2024, Matt has taught as a Lieutenant Colonel Music Director, Tac Officer, and the Director of the Regimental Band at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). His additional duties at VMI include Director of the Commanders VMI Jazz Band, and smaller ensembles such as the Herald Trumpets, Ceremonial Band, Ceremonial Buglers and Drummers, and the Pep Band. 

From 2022-2024, Matt was the Director of Athletic Bands and Percussion Studio at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. He taught the Golden Griffon Marching Band, The Golden Griffon Sound Machine Pep Band, the MWSU Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Ensemble, taught Marching Band Methods, Percussion Methods, World Music History courses, and taught percussion music majors and minors in the MWSU Percussion Studio.

From 2019-2022, Matt was at the U.S. Naval Academy (in Annapolis, MD). He was the Director of the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, the Director of the basketball Pep Band, the Percussion Caption Head, and the percussion music arranger. Additionally, he served as the Director of Instrumental Activities for the Department of Musical Activities to oversee the instrumental ensembles in the Music Department. 

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He also taught for several years 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.

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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! 

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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.  

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As a composer and arranger, Matt has composed solo percussion music and percussion ensemble pieces. Last year, Solar Flares his first published piece was released from HoneyRock Publishing. Additionally, Matt was written another percussion ensemble work, Blue Variations for solo snare drum plus tape, and Amazing Grace for solo marimba. He also has arranged music for The Naval Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, The Stevenson University Marching Band, The University of Maryland Marching Band, Thomas More University's Marching Band, "The Commandant's Own" Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the University of the Cumberlands marching band, Sonus Brass Theater, The Music and Arts by Providence Orchestra, as well as for several high school bands in the Northern Virginia area.

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Dr. Halligan has taken part in several consortiums to commission new percussion ensemble, solo marimba, steel pan, and multi-percussion works.  

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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.