Steve D. Matchett was born in Artesia, New Mexico on April 19, 1957. He has lived all his life in Texas, spending his childhood in the West Texas oil town of Andrews, and his teen and adult years in Houston. He graduated from Pearland High School (in suburban Houston) where he played tuba in the band under director Jack Fariss. He received several awards for his playing including Outstanding Performer awards at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest from Constance Weldon and from Harvey Phillips. He attended the University of Houston and received a Bachelor of Music degree in performance, studying tuba there with William H. Rose. His music theory teachers at UH were Thomas Benjamin, Robert Nelson, and Linda Watson; and his music history teachers were Robert Jobe and Michael Williams. While working on his undergraduate degree he developed his interests in music composition, an interest he had since high school.

Steve has been active as a freelance musician in Houston for many years and has performed with many of the city’s orchestras and leading brass ensembles. He continues to maintain an active private teaching studio. He did some private study in composition with composer Fisher Tull, and at Dr. Tull’s urging decided to work for his Master of Music degree at Sam Houston State University, which he completed in 1994. His teachers there were Fisher Tull for music composition and theory, James Marks for theory and analysis, and Harry Mallard for musicology.

Steve’s compositional activities stem in many ways from his performing and teaching interests with an emphasis on music for brass instruments. He is married to cellist Teresa Matchett who teaches and performs, and is very involved in the Houston Area Suzuki Strings Association.