Nick Matherne
Nick Matherne is a music educator and researcher devoted to developing lifelong musicianship in students and helping teachers to better understand student motivation in music. He is the artistic director of the Victorian Youth Symphony, assistant director of the Melbourne Victoria New Horizons Band, and the low brass instructor at Viewbank College where he directs the Hancock Big Band. He has directed community, secondary, and collegiate ensembles across the United States and Australia including the flagship bands and choirs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He is pursuing a PhD in Music Psychology and Performance Science at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, examining motivation for
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lifelong musicianship. His research and teaching interests include life-long music engagement, effective music teaching, and motivation to participate in music. His work has been published in Psychology of Music, the International Journal of Community Music, the International Journal of Music Education, the Music Educators Journal, and the Journal of Music Teacher Education. Nick is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator in both the United States and Australia and has presented research and practitioner presentations in both Australia and abroad.
Formerly, he served as the Kaimukī High School band teacher and as adjunct instructor of music education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he completed his Master of Arts in Music Education. In his capacity as adjunct instructor at UH, Nick also served as the co-director of the UH University Chorus from 2020-2021. Nick served as president for the Hawaiʻi Music Educator’s Association (HMEA) (2021-2022) and as a board member for the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the American Choral Director's Association (HACDA) (2020-2022).
Previously he served as a graduate assistant for the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s Department of Music. As a graduate assistant, he taught the Brass Methods course for music education majors and served as a teaching assistant for other Music Education classes. He also assisted with Marching Band rehearsals / operations and concert ensemble logistics and was the social media / website coordinator for UH Bands. He has cover conducted the UH Pep Bands and UH Wind Ensemble and has guest conducted the UH Concert Band, UH Concert Choir, and UH Summer Band in concert.
Born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Nick attended James Madison University where he received a B.M. in Music Education and a B.A. in Spanish. At JMU, he served as president of NAfME Collegiate, guest conducted the University Men's Choir, and served as the assistant pit ensemble director to the University's production of All Shook Up.
After his undergraduate studies, Nick accepted a teaching position at Glen Burnie High School in Maryland where he taught Spanish, served as assistant marching band director, and sponsored the student chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica. Upon returning to Virginia, he became the Director of Music at William Monroe High School, directing the three choirs, three bands (including the award-winning Marching Dragons), and guitar ensemble. Nick also served as the Music Director (Vocal/Instrumental) for all WMHS Spring Musical Productions and was the faculty sponsor for Tri-M Music Honor Society.
In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, Nick is active as a performer with the Box Hill City Brass Band, the Heidelberg Wind Symphony, and other groups throughout Victoria, Australia. He has performed with the UH Jazz Band at Blue Note Hawai’i, served as the principal euphonium player for the UH Wind Ensemble, sang with the UH Chamber Singers and performed with the Hitbox Music Ensemble. Nick also performed widely with Central Virginia Ensembles, including the Rapidan Orchestra, Virginia Consort Festival Chorus, and the Valley Wind Ensemble. Nick has served as the staff arranger for the Blue Ridge Chamber Music Camp and was the Executive Director of the Virginia Consort Choral Academy from 2015-2022.
Nick holds memberships with the the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association (HACDA), the Hawaiʻi Music Educator’s Association (HMEA), the International Society for Music Education (ISME), the Victorian chapter of the Australian Society for Music Education (ASME), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
Formerly, he served as the Kaimukī High School band teacher and as adjunct instructor of music education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he completed his Master of Arts in Music Education. In his capacity as adjunct instructor at UH, Nick also served as the co-director of the UH University Chorus from 2020-2021. Nick served as president for the Hawaiʻi Music Educator’s Association (HMEA) (2021-2022) and as a board member for the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the American Choral Director's Association (HACDA) (2020-2022).
Previously he served as a graduate assistant for the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s Department of Music. As a graduate assistant, he taught the Brass Methods course for music education majors and served as a teaching assistant for other Music Education classes. He also assisted with Marching Band rehearsals / operations and concert ensemble logistics and was the social media / website coordinator for UH Bands. He has cover conducted the UH Pep Bands and UH Wind Ensemble and has guest conducted the UH Concert Band, UH Concert Choir, and UH Summer Band in concert.
Born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Nick attended James Madison University where he received a B.M. in Music Education and a B.A. in Spanish. At JMU, he served as president of NAfME Collegiate, guest conducted the University Men's Choir, and served as the assistant pit ensemble director to the University's production of All Shook Up.
After his undergraduate studies, Nick accepted a teaching position at Glen Burnie High School in Maryland where he taught Spanish, served as assistant marching band director, and sponsored the student chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica. Upon returning to Virginia, he became the Director of Music at William Monroe High School, directing the three choirs, three bands (including the award-winning Marching Dragons), and guitar ensemble. Nick also served as the Music Director (Vocal/Instrumental) for all WMHS Spring Musical Productions and was the faculty sponsor for Tri-M Music Honor Society.
In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, Nick is active as a performer with the Box Hill City Brass Band, the Heidelberg Wind Symphony, and other groups throughout Victoria, Australia. He has performed with the UH Jazz Band at Blue Note Hawai’i, served as the principal euphonium player for the UH Wind Ensemble, sang with the UH Chamber Singers and performed with the Hitbox Music Ensemble. Nick also performed widely with Central Virginia Ensembles, including the Rapidan Orchestra, Virginia Consort Festival Chorus, and the Valley Wind Ensemble. Nick has served as the staff arranger for the Blue Ridge Chamber Music Camp and was the Executive Director of the Virginia Consort Choral Academy from 2015-2022.
Nick holds memberships with the the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association (HACDA), the Hawaiʻi Music Educator’s Association (HMEA), the International Society for Music Education (ISME), the Victorian chapter of the Australian Society for Music Education (ASME), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).