TMEA 5A All-State Percussion Ensemble / Pocket-Sized Funk Machine
This new percussion ensemble piece is described as the sound of a “malfunctioning musical box that sputters (often abruptly) into off-kilter funky episodes.” A recurring melodic theme and groove are the earworm, while the “sputters” are fun and interesting surprises.
The score is very well-marked, clear, and user-friendly. I recommend this piece for an advanced high school or university percussion ensemble. The harmonic language and groove are accessible to both audience and players. The “off-kilter” nature gives the music just enough unpredictability to keep the audience guessing.
—Justin Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 5, October 2022
“Mr. Kilby’s writing was able to launch the Ashley Ridge Percussion section to new highs in the 2022 season. This began immediately as he was able to get the music out to us in just a few days after being hired. The book was musically functional both in terms of timing and exciting impact moments. It was at a level that was accomplishable while giving the students moments to strive for throughout the season. Mr. Kilby made himself available for edits/changes throughout the entire process. Every percussion tape we received raved about the writing and how musically appropriate it was for the show this year.”
“A life well lived consists of two main components—always being a student in search of knowledge, growth and greater understanding, and also passing that wisdom on to the next generation as a teacher and mentor. Matthew Kilby represents this approach to the fullest—-he excels as both a student and a teacher, and walks this path with not only skill and talent, but with grace and humility.”
“Matt Kilby is one of my favorite musicians on this planet. He is multi-talented, endlessly curious, and humble. I’ve learned so much from him over the years, and I’m proud to get to call him a friend”
“Mr. Kilby is a gifted musician and well-rounded percussionist with great technical proficiency, stylistic awareness of the various musical genres he teaches and performs, and most importantly, superb musicianship.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Matthew Kilby throughout his graduate studies at Indiana University. We had opportunities to collaborate both on campus academically and off, playing local performances. Mr. Kilby approaches every musical endeavor with enthusiasm, positivity, and a strong sense of integrity. I knew we were always in for a great time when Matt was on the gig. Plus, he does it all: drumming, playing guitar, bass, and singing, not to mention his abilities in teaching, arranging, composing, recording, and editing, you name it and he does it!”
Matthew Kilby is an educator and performer in North Charleston, South Carolina. He is currently in his 7th year as Associate Band Director, Percussion Instructor, and co-Steel Band Director at Fort Dorchester High School, where he was honored with Rookie Teacher of the Year 2018-2019. As a Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Education Committee member, Matthew has written percussion pedagogy articles for their publication, Percussive Notes, and contributed video content for PAS Classroom. Matthew is a recipient of a Citation of Excellence by the National Band Association, and The Fort Dorchester High School Percussion Ensemble was a featured ensemble at SCMEA 2023. Fort Dorchester’s Marching Band advanced to state finals for the first time in school history in Fall 2024, finishing the season in 11th place.
Matthew earned his Master's from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and his Bachelor of Music with Honors from UNC-Chapel Hill in North Carolina (Honors Thesis: A Musical Approach to Marimba Education: Incorporating Global History and Folkloric Repertoire). He has studied with Kevin Bobo, Steve Houghton, Michael Spiro, John Tafoya, Dr. Juan Alamo, Dan Davis, Dr. N. Cameron Britt, and Dr. Joe Galvin. He is ABD in Boston University’s DMA in Music Education program, having completed all of his coursework with a 4.0 GPA, and passing his qualifying exam in the fall of 2024.
At IU, Matthew was principal of the Wind Ensemble, played in several orchestras, and was the timbale player for IU’s Latin Jazz Ensemble. After completing his MM, Matthew was an Associate Instructor under Michael Spiro, teaching group conga lessons to graduate and undergraduate percussionists and non-major percussion students. He was the teaching assistant/co-director for the Afro-Cuban Ensemble and Brazilian Ensemble.
At UNC, Matthew played snare drum with the Marching Tar Heels, won the wind ensemble’s concerto competition, and was president of the orchestra committee and the undergraduate music forum. For two summers, Matthew marched snare drum for the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps (2012, 2013).
As a composer/arranger, Matthew’s pieces have been performed by Ju Percussion, the TMEA 5A All-State Percussion Ensemble, Central Michigan University, the Indiana University Brazilian Ensemble and Steel Band, Furman University’s Percussion Ensemble, Coastal Carolina University’s Steel Band, and various high school percussion ensembles. Matthew’s percussion ensemble music is published by C. Alan Publications, Tapspace Publications, with some self-published pieces. Matthew’s marching percussion arrangements have garnered numerous high percussion awards and are performed yearly by state finalist bands. In Charleston, Matthew occasionally performs with Gino Castillo and the Cuban Cowboys or other Latin Jazz Ensembles (when it isn’t a school night, of course.) He also produces recordings, which can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and elsewhere.