About
Dr. Matthew Halligan is a free-lance percussionist in the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area 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 2013, Matt has been an Adjunct Faculty Professor at George Mason University where he has taught Applied Percussion Lessons, Percussion Methods courses, and has served as the Assistant Director of the Percussion Ensemble. Since 2018, Matt has taught at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus as the Adjunct Percussion Professor and in January, 2019 Matt started teaching as the Adjunct Percussion Professor at NOVA, Alexandria Campus.
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 with Eklipse Indoor Drumline (W.G.I.) in 2003, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps in 2002, and 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!
Since 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.
