Matthew Harvey - Trumpet Performer & Instructor

A versatile trumpet performer, Matthew Harvey is at his best when he is performing. Ranging from swinging at Elmhurst’s Annual Jazz Festival to performing groundbreaking and fresh symphonic works, like Steven Bryant’s Automatic Earth and Molly Joyce’s Up and Down, Harvey truly demonstrates the true breadth of trumpet playing. Harvey’s mastery of stylistic diversity and overall utility has led him to be consistently called upon to play with bands like the Joel Baer Big Band.

Committed to expanding the envelope of music, Harvey has a record of performing pieces by under-recognized composers. During the Spring of 2022, Harvey participated in the first collegiate debut of the entire Winds of Change - a collection of progressive trumpet solos - with the musical support of renowned pianist Myunghee Chung. Harvey is also a member of the Whitewater Symphonic Wind Ensemble; an ensemble led by Glenn “Doc” Hayes that has been driven to perform undervalued musical styles exemplified by pieces such as Salt March by Aakash Mittal. 

Harvey is currently in charge of the Warhawk Basketball Pep Band and is proud of the fantastic playing opportunity he can provide for both serious and casual musicians. On top of being the main conductor for the group, Harvey is constantly searching for new members and music for this ensemble.

Studying music performance, computer science, and mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has allowed Harvey to experience master classes from Wayne Bergeron, José Valentino, and Andrew Balio. Harvey studies trumpet under Dr. Matthew Onstad, with the additional guidance of Dr. Michael Hackett, and performs in almost every ensemble that Whitewater has to offer. Harvey is recognized as an emerging student leader within the Music Department due to his musical prowess and leadership capabilities and is evidenced through the many scholarships he has been awarded. Most prominently, the Dr. Robert K. Webb Family Scholarship - a scholarship designed for Whitewater ensemble conductors to attract high-quality solo musicians - and the Gieryn Jazz Talent Scholarship all have designated Harvey as their sole recipient when awarded.

Matthew Harvey performs on Yamaha and Thane instruments.