BYU-Idaho Tuba and Euphonium Facebook page
Biography
Matt Moore was born in Bountiful, Utah and spent most of his growing up years in the small town of Gypsum, Colorado. Although no one in his family was involved in music, they encouraged him to try new things. So, at the suggestion of his high school band director and young men's president, he joined the band. He started on tuba, and since he was the only tuba in the band, he quickly rose to first chair. His first lessons on brass playing were given to him by the band's baritone player.
During high school Matt was planning to become a history teacher, but after joining the band he decided to become a band director instead. Upon graduation, he attended one year of college at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado as a music major. He then served a mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Upon his return, Matt attended Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. There, he finished his undergraduate degree in Music Education and student taught at Kaysville Jr. High under Randy Houtz. He studied tuba at this time with Mark Robinette. Toward the end of his undergraduate studies, Matt began playing professionally in various settings, such as pick-up orchestras, recording sessions, and as a substitute with the Utah Symphony. During this time, Matt also married his wife, Rachel, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
After receiving his bachelor's degree, Matt enrolled at the University of Utah to pursue a master's degree in tuba performance. There, he studied with Lee Hipp of the San Antonio Symphony and Gary Ofenloch of the Utah Symphony. During his studies, he continued to play professionally in every setting imaginable. It was also during this time that Matt began to play and record with the Orchestra at Temple Square. His playing can be heard on several Mormon Tabernacle Choir recordings. Matt has also toured with the Choir and performed on dozens of productions of Music and the Spoken Word. Matt and Rachel's first child, Annie, was born during this time in Salt Lake City.
Matt began working as a band director after completing his master's degree at the University of Utah. He taught at Bear River High School and was in charge of the school's marching, concert, and jazz band as well as beginning band at the junior high level. He continued to perform constantly during this time, specifically as substitute with the Utah Symphony, tuba player in the Brass Tacks Brass Quintet, and as principal tuba with the Orchestra at Temple Square. Matt taught band in Tremonton for three years, and Matt and Rachel had two more children, Jenna and Collin.
In the fall of 2007, Matt was hired as professor of Tuba at Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he is currently employed. From 2012 to 2014, Matt attended the prestigious Peabody Conservatory on full scholarship where he studied with Baltimore Symphony tubist, David Fedderly. While in Baltimore he performed with the Baltimore Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Brass Quintet, the Naval Academy Band Brass Quintet, and the South Florida Symphony.