Matthew Stratton was born in Ithaca NY. Matt earned a Bachelor of Music Education with Performer's Certificate from State University of New York College at Fredonia. In 1999 he moved to Indiana to pursue graduate study at the Jacobs School of Music. Matt completed the MM in Tuba Performance and is currently completing exams and research towards the DM Brass Pedagogy. His degree includes minors in Music Education and Jazz Studies

Matt began marching drum corps with The Patriots 1992. In 1994 he joined The Cadets of Bergen County at age 16. He continued to march during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. He has taught drum corps with the Patriots and The Magic.

Matt has performed with the IU Wind Ensemble, Philharmonic, Concert and University Orchestra's, Brass Choir, and Jazz Ensembles. He is a regular performer with Harvey Phillip's TUBACOMPANY AND TUBASANTAS. He is the principal tuba and a founding member of the Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble.

Matt's principal teachers are Don Burke, C. Rudolph Emilson, Russel Mikkelson, Harvey Phillips, and Dan Perantoni.

Matt is currently the Director of Bands at Lora L. Batchelor Middle School. He resides in Bloomington IN with his lovely wife April and their three children; Connor, Lillian and Camden.

"The Blue Stars have been laying the groundwork for excellence in the area of brass. I am thrilled about the fantastic things that have been planned for the 2010 season. I am looking forward to being a part of this brass team.