Matthew Richmond

Matthew Richmond is a percussionist, composer, recording artist, and educator. He is Interim Principal Percussionist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and has extensive experience in classical music, pop/rock, funk, jazz, Latin and African music, and marching percussion. He joined UNCA as an adjunct in 2005 and has been full-time since 2010.

Matthew has recorded with a wide variety of artists. He contributed vibraphone and percussion to Infinity Plus One by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, which won the 2017 Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album. He has also performed and/or recorded with Jonathan Scales, Steve Reich, Gordon Stout, Lizz Wright, Jeff Sipe, Billy Jonas, stephaniesǐd, Kevin Spears, Kat Williams, and many others. He also writes, produces, and hosts the occasional podcast All I Know, a “curious podcast for curious people”.

Matthew loves theater, and has been involved with over 80 theater and dance productions from Amélie to Zombie Prom. His work with Theater UNCA has included Cabaret (MD), Little Shop of Horrors (MD, voice of Audrey II), Into the Woods (MD), and Marat/Sade (composer, MD). He’s composed music for productions by The Asheville Ballet, Ann Dunn Dancers, The Road Company, Norte Marr, Black Swan Theatre, and others.

Education

• B.A. East Tennessee State University
• M.M. Ithaca College

Courses Taught

• Arranging & Production I & II
• Fundamentals: Percussion
• Foundations: Music & Culture
• Percussion Ensemble
• Jazz and Contemporary Ensembles
• Introductory Aural Skills
• Aural Skills I-III
• Introductory Music Theory
• Music Theory I-III
• Applied Percussion
• Applied Composition
• Music Appreciation
• Humanities: The Ancient World

Ensembles Directed

• Experimental Ensemble
• Chick Corea Ensemble
• Paul Simon Ensemble
• John Scofield Ensemble
• Cal Tjader Ensemble
• Stax Ensemble
• Booker T and the MGs Ensemble
• Latin Jazz Ensemble
• Remix Ensemble