Dear Matt,

Happy retirement to you! I can’t let this moment in time pass without sending my warmest wishes.

Thank you for your leadership in hosting the world’s first online trombone masterclasses way back in 2003 and 2004. It was exciting to be figuring out something entirely new with you and David Schwartz as my partners-in-crime.

You led the first two video masterclasses, and shared warm-up routines and recordings of three etudes that you made to help the participants. Throughout, you treated the students (from middle school to grad school) with respect, kindness, and good humor. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner for this experiment.

And then it got even better. You invited me to your home to make music with a very large and merry band of musicians. It was obvious that you had been doing this for a long time, and that everyone there treasured you.

Brown has been extremely fortunate! You are a great musician and teacher. Even better, you are a wonderful person and friend.

I wish you continued blessings and peace, music and laughter on the road ahead.

Colleen Wheeler