Matthew Matheny
Assistant principal
Biography
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Matthew received his undergraduate degree in both bassoon performance and instrumental music education at the University of Oklahoma, where he studied with Rodney Ackmann. Before pursuing his graduate studies, Matthew spent three years as a band director in Oklahoma, teaching at Central Junior High and assisting at Moore High School in Moore, Oklahoma. His middle school groups achieved consecutive sweepstakes awards, and several of his private students earned spots in regional and state honor bands.
His graduate studies include a Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Frank Morellii, and a Performer’s Certificate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he studied with Catherine Van Handel. During his time at Yale, Matthew served as an employee for the Yale Library in the Digital Reformatting and Microfilm Services, where he digitized hundreds of historical documents and musical manuscripts, co-authored the department’s digitization manual, and significantly expanded the Yale Daily News’ digital archives.
Prior to serving as the Assistant Principal bassoonist of Sarasota Orchestra, Matthew was the Karen Bechtel and William Osborne Bassoon Fellow at the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida. He has also performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and numerous regional orchestras in the Milwaukee/Chicago area.
Get to know Matthew Matheny
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
First year with Sarasota Orchestra: 2025
Instrument: Matthew's instrument is a Puchner bassoon from the 1960s, which he acquired and refurbished after completing his undergraduate degree. He was inspired to play this model of instrument by his undergraduate professor, who played a similar model for the majority of his career.
Education: University of Oklahoma - Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education; Yale School of Music - Master of Music in bassoon; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - Performer's Certificate; New World Symphony - bassoon fellowship
Career Highlights: As a performer, playing Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony with Michael Tilson Thomas while at the New World Symphony. As an educator, conducting his first group of beginning students in their end of the year concert.
Passions and Interests: In his spare time, Matthew enjoys watching improv comedy, playing board games, and trying different types of coffee.
