I first met Matt when I came to the Brown Music Department over 30 years ago as the cellist of the Charleston String Quartet, the newly appointed string-quartet-in-residence. Before I moved here permanently, Matt was kind enough to take me on a driving tour of Providence and the surrounding areas with suggestions about where I might want to live. I remember he had a pickup truck – the last thing I expected of a Brown University-type professor – and his manner sort of matched his vehicle; no-nonsense, practical but friendly and supportive. I don’t remember everything about the tour but, even to this day, when I see certain buildings, bridges or neighborhoods, I recall the first time I saw them with Matt.

In the ensuing years, our paths crossed often but usually on the sidewalk between Orwig and Fulton, at concerts, in the music library or music department office. However, if there was time, we would usually stop, have a brief, friendly chat about how things were going – and then be on our way to the next lesson or rehearsal.

In the fall of 2017 I took over temporarily as the ‘emergency’ conductor of the Brown University Orchestra. For those of us who were around at the time, it was a dramatic and maybe even traumatic time for the department. I needed all the support I could get and everyone in the department was extremely kind and helpful. It was during this period that I took the opportunity to stop by Matt’s office as often as I could. I knew he would be a great source of wisdom and institutional knowledge, and he didn’t disappoint. He patiently addressed all of my concerns and questions about running a large ensemble, dealing with the budgets, recommending extra players, advising, with his great insights, into particular student’s abilities – among many other things. He followed up on these very helpful meetings by graciously attending all the orchestra concerts I conducted and continued to help get me through the year with his unswerving support.

I believe Matt did this because he is a very good person and could see that I truly needed his help. But I could also tell that he wanted the orchestra to do well and would do anything he could to make the experience better for our students. I could sense his love and respect for them and how he valued the work we do with them here at Brown. I had always thought highly of Matt but during this period my esteem of him grew immensely.

I know his students will miss his conducting, musicianship and leadership. The Brown Music Department has been lucky to have a person of Matt’s talents and we will be losing a wonderful colleague and friend. I am very thankful and happy to have gotten to know him a bit better and to have been the beneficiary of his kindness. I truly appreciate this opportunity to publicly thank him.

Matt, best of luck in your retirement and have a great time!
We will all miss you.

Dan