Could not imagine my four years at Brown without you – Carrie Danielson
Congratulations on your retirement, Matt! I have treasured your mentorship over the years, both with the Brown Band and as a compassionate and skilled advisor for the Music Department. You have helped shape my career in more ways than you can imagine, and I am forever grateful for the years of laughter, bad jokes, and morning bagels. I could not imagine my four years at Brown without you, your stories,…
Matt, it’s time to kick back – Tom Everett
Hey Matt, CONGRATULATIONS upon your retirement from Brown University. Now it’s time to kick back and consider jumping into some of important long term projects and skills you always wanted to do, but could never find the time. Play a couple rounds of golf – at least four days a week. Fish (one day a week in salt water, another day in fresh water). Clean out your trombone… ahhhhh, maybe…
He would do anything he could to make the experience better for our students – Daniel Harp
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…
May the years ahead be full of interesting new paths – Lois Finkel
Congratulations on your retirement, Matt. I wish there had been more opportunities to collaborate, but I remember fondly getting to play the Martinu Concerto for Quartet and Wind Ensemble together. There was such a positive spirit as you lead the group with ease and respect. Fun, too, the many performances of West Side Story at Trinity. May the years ahead be full of interesting new paths, great times with family…
Video greeting for Matt from Kate Brucher
The most influential faculty member I came in contact with – Johnny Page
To me, Matt was the most influential faculty member I came in contact with at Brown. I first came to know him as a conductor and director through playing in the Wind Symphony and then later in the Jazz Band. During my sophomore year, Matt became my professor, in his course on John Coltrane’s life and music. In his classes, he created a comfortable environment where students who came into…
To a wonderful person and friend – Colleen Wheeler
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…
Looking forward to the next chapter – Skye
As Brown Band honorary mascots Pup-Pup, Dusky, Holly and Ivy would have agreed, you’re the best. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. Looking forward to the next chapter. Te amo, Skye (photo above taken by Matt)
Thank you for believing in me from the beginning – Matthew Block
Matt, huge congratulations on your retirement. You have left such a strong legacy at Brown, and I know you will be greatly missed. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter. Thank you for being such a great supporter of my development as a musician, as a student and as a person. You created opportunities that empowered us to grow and perform. The concert series you hosted each semester,…