Matt Westgate

Master of Music (Conducting)
Western Michigan University (2006)

Bachelor of Music Education
Western Michigan University (2000) 

Why did you choose to attend WMU?

I was looking for a school with a great music education program, swinging jazz ensembles, and strong concert bands. Little did I know that I would find an amazing trombone teacher too!  I auditioned at all of the "big" Michigan schools, but I knew WMU was the place for me from the first moment I arrived and had a lesson/audition with Dr. Wolfinbarger.  He exemplifies the WMU School of Music: approachable, musical, personal. Dr. Wolfinbarger, and WMU in general, provided me with the tools I needed and encouraged me to grow as a musician. I will forever be grateful for that experience. 

What do you consider to be your most important professional achievements to date?

Completing a doctorate at the University of Cincinnati CCM (College-Conservatory of Music) is pretty challenging, and I am proud to say I completed my degree there.  I am also happy to be working at the University of Massachusetts where I have wonderful students and colleagues. I am proud to be able to help future music educators at a good school. Beyond the professional world, I have been traveling to Guatemala and El Salvador over the past few summers to do service work and I consider that to be important work as well. 

What is your fondest memory of your time in the trombone studio (or music program) at WMU?

One of my fondest memories was traveling to Chicago to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra play "Rite of Spring." That was my first experience hearing that piece performed live, and it changed my life.  On WMU's campus, my fondest memories are of living and learning with music school friends and working with the talented faculty members that served as my mentors.

General information

Dr. Matt Westgate was appointed Director of Wind Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, and oversees the graduate instrumental conducting curriculum. Prior to his appointment at UMass, he was Director of Instrumental Activities at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Matt completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where he studied with Rodney Winther.  In October of 2007, he was honored with an invitation to conduct the Eastman Wind Ensemble at the First Annual Frederick Fennell Conducting Masterclass at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Dr. Westgate was also featured in the "Bernsteins of Tomorrow" concert in April of 2009 when he guest-conducted the West Point Military Band in West Point, NY.

Prior to his tenure at Xavier and CCM, Matt served as a graduate conducting assistant at Western Michigan University while completing his Master’s Degree (MM) in wind conducting with Dr. Robert Spradling. At WMU, he served as assistant conductor with the University Symphonic and Concert bands, graduate and undergraduate chamber ensembles, athletic bands, and the WMU Bronco Marching Band.  In the spring of 2006 he received the School of Music “Teaching Effectiveness Award,” and won the WMU “All-University Graduate Teacher Award” in recognition of his work with undergraduate conducting courses. From 2000-2004, Dr. Westgate worked in the Bangor and South Haven (Michigan) public school systems where his ensembles consistently received superior ratings at concert, jazz, and marching festivals.  

Matt was a regular summer faculty member at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, MI, and participated as a conducting assistant in the Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, in Lucca, Italy in the summer of 2008.  He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and arranger, and performs regularly as a classical and jazz trombonist.