TBJ180: Matt Neff
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On This Episode of The Brass Junkies:
His brand new awarding of tenure with the North Carolina Symphony!
The North Carolina Symphony’s significant outreach across the state
Getting a lesson with Jim Nova to overcome nerves with auditions
The negative self-talk he experienced in his Pittsburgh Symphony audition and how he dealt with it moving forward
How he used taking 20-25 professional auditions during his time in the Navy Band to “check himself” as a musician
Changing his pants while driving down I-95
The different kind of practicing you do when you are preparing for auditions
Matt’s 17-year run in the Navy Concert Band in Washington, DC
The Ashley Alexander recording Matt heard as a kid featuring Commodores bass trombonist Lee Goss (the loudest bass trombonist to ever live according to Matt)
His 2-hour audition for The Commodores including playing with the band, the trombone section and playing tunes with the rhythm section
The variety he’s experienced in his career and why it’s so important to him
Throwing Matt Niess under the bus
Bio:
Matthew Neff is a native of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania and a 1992 graduate of Penn State University, where he studied music education. He received his master’s degree in bass trombone performance from Catholic University of America in 2003.
Prior to winning the position as bass trombonist in the North Carolina Symphony, Neff was a Master Chief Musician in the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., performing bass trombone in the Commodores jazz ensemble (2009-2019), Brass Quintet (2003-2009), and the Concert/Ceremonial Band (1992-2009). During his years in Washington, he had an extensive freelance career and performed with symphonies across the mid-Atlantic states. Recent performances include the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, American Festival Pops Orchestra, and National Philharmonic.
An advocate for music education, Neff has conducted master classes and clinics throughout the country and served as Adjunct Professor of Trombone at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia (2003-2019), all while maintaining an active private low brass studio in his home.
Neff is enjoying his new home in Raleigh with his wife, Tricia, and two of their four daughters.
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With Thanks
The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University
Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.
