Matthew McInturf

Class of 2026

Matthew McInturf is the first of two sons born to William Frank and Helen Roberts McInturf. His father, known as Bill, was a Navy veteran and aeronautical engineer. His mother was a homemaker and a graduate of Baylor University, where she played flute in the Golden Wave Marching Band. His brother, Tim, is an accomplished attorney and executive. Most of Matthew’s formative years were spent in Fort Worth, with the exception of several years in Houston while his father worked on the Apollo Project at NASA.

Matthew was fortunate to attend R. L. Paschal High School. His band director, Phillip Aikman, was an outstanding musician, and the Paschal Stage Band was an exceptional example of jazz education. Mr. Aikman encouraged Matthew to attend North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas. Since Matthew’s father was not enthusiastic about his eldest son majoring in music, he insisted that Matthew become certified to teach. As it turned out, that advice proved invaluable.

North Texas was a transformative experience. Matthew initially had no intention of becoming a teacher and ultimately earned a degree in Music Theory. As a sophomore enrolled in undergraduate conducting, Marianna Gabbi connected him with Anschel Brusilow, conductor of the Symphony Orchestra. Matthew was accepted into Maestro Brusilow’s graduate conducting class, an experience that profoundly influenced his musicianship and professionalism. Along with Kalman Cherry, timpanist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Matthew’s percussion instructor, these two mentors provided the foundation for much of his future career.

The most important thing that happened during Matthew’s years at North Texas, however, was meeting his future wife, Judy. Although they had been introduced several times, it was not until they spent time together in a Music Major’s Bible study that they truly got to know one another. They married in 1976 and will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in November. They have one son, Geoffrey, a former All-State oboist who is now a physician. They also have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Katie, an orchestra teacher, and three cherished grandchildren: Michael, Isaiah, and Emily.

Judy, a flutist, spent several years as a private teacher and two years as a band director before transitioning to a long and successful business career with EDS and Hewlett-Packard. She has always been an integral part of Matthew’s work and has supported his career with unwavering dedication.

After earning his undergraduate degree, Matthew remained at North Texas to complete his teaching certification. He completed his student teaching at Lake Highlands High School under Bob Brandenberger and Malcolm Helm. There he met Claire Johnson, Jim Irwin, Joe Dixon, and Bob Johnson, all exceptional educators. His student teaching experience fundamentally changed his views on education, pedagogy, and the pursuit of excellence. Even so, he was not yet committed to teaching as a career.

After Matthew and Judy married, their plan was for Matthew to attend graduate school in orchestral conducting. However, at the beginning of the summer of 1977, Brian Merrill called to inform him of an opening for a middle school band director at Travis Junior High School in the Irving Independent School District. Believing it would be preferable to waiting tables while saving money for graduate school, Matthew applied and was offered the position.

In Irving, he worked alongside Marion West, Brian Merrill, and Michael Brashear. The school had a small program in which seventh-grade beginners advanced together into the eighth-grade band. It proved to be the ideal environment for learning which instruments he could teach effectively and which required further study. During those years, Matthew discovered that he loved both teaching and band directing.

In 1979, he returned to his original plan of attending graduate school. Bob Brandenberger and Malcolm Helm recommended him to Eddie Green at Central Michigan University. As it happened, Mr. Green was in the process of accepting a position at the University of Houston, and Matthew became his first graduate student there. He studied conducting with Mr. Green and composition with Dr. Michael Horvit. Matthew remains grateful for their mentorship and for the many important professional relationships he developed during his time at U of H. Among the students who later became professional colleagues were Charlotte Royall, Tye Ann Payne, Randy Adams, Bill Watson, Gloria Ramirez, Mark Edenfield, Mickey Vasquez, and Trent Cooper.

For the next two years, Matthew taught at Spring Forest Junior High School in the Spring Branch Independent School District. He was grateful for the opportunity to work with Mike Brashear, Tye Ann Payne, Rick Yancey, Jack Greenburg, and Les and Joyce Boelsche. It was a rewarding period filled with outstanding colleagues and collaborative learning. At the end of his second year, however, Tom Bennett offered him the Associate Director position at J. J. Pearce High School in Richardson ISD.

Working in Richardson during the early 1980s was an exceptional experience. Tom Bennett was not only a gifted musician and teacher but also an extraordinary mentor. When Mr. Bennett left to begin his university teaching career, Matthew was promoted to Head Band Director.

Leading the Pearce program and collaborating with Peter Warshaw and Lynne Jackson was tremendously exciting. When the Meyerson Symphony Center opened, a band parent approached Matthew with an offer to establish an endowment that would support an annual performance by the band. As a result, the Pearce Band became the first educational ensemble to present an annual concert in that remarkable hall, a tradition that continues today.

Among the many performances at festivals throughout the United States, including a concert at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, performing regularly at the Meyerson Symphony Center remains one of Matthew’s most memorable experiences. The students of the Pearce Band were remarkable and a joy to teach. Many have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education, while others have made significant contributions across a wide variety of professions.

During his years at Pearce, Matthew had numerous opportunities to mentor young teachers and supervise student teachers. This work sparked what would become one of his greatest professional passions. In 1994, he once again returned to school. To study with Eugene Migliaro Corporon, he enrolled in the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music to pursue a doctorate in conducting. Professor Corporon became a life-changing mentor and a cherished friend.
Matthew’s first university teaching position was at Florida International University. The Music Department featured dynamic leadership and a thriving jazz program led by Richard Dunscomb, who became Matthew’s faculty mentor. He was hired to build the band program and recruit wind players for the fledgling Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Carlos Piantini. Within three years, the number of wind players grew from eight to 147. During that time, an exciting chamber music program and a graduate conducting program were also established. At the end of his third year at FIU, Matthew was recruited by Sam Houston State University.

From 1998 to 2025, Matthew served as Director of Bands at Sam Houston State University. Carol Smith, Director of Orchestral Activities, and Ralph Mills, Director of Bands Emeritus, were valued colleagues and collaborators. Supported by strong leadership within the School of Music, and an outstanding applied faculty who were both accomplished artists and dedicated teachers, many outstanding students were attracted to the university.

Over the years, the band program developed a reputation for excellence, and its graduates became recognized as outstanding music educators and leaders. Through collaboration with Brian Gibbs and Darla McBryde, students benefited from a consistent approach to performance-based music education. Performances at TMEA, CBDNA, and ABA conferences provided students with opportunities to showcase their work before distinguished audiences. Sam Houston alumni are successful educators in elementary, secondary, and university teaching positions, serve as leaders on the boards of TBA and TMEA, and are accomplished administrators, both in Fine Arts and campus leadership.

During his tenure at SHSU, Matthew founded the SHSU Center for Music Education. The Center’s mission is to support practicing teachers and encourage advanced study by offering summer workshops and a master’s degree program designed for completion during the summer months. The organization is recognized nationally for innovative work and supporting access for excellent music education. The Center continues to provide exceptional professional development and graduate education opportunities for music educators.
Matthew has served the profession in numerous leadership roles, including President of the Texas Bandmasters Association, President of the Southwestern Division of the College Band Directors National Association, and Vice President and College Division Chair of the Texas Music Educators Association.

In 2017, he was named Bandmaster of the Year by the Texas Bandmasters Association. He is an elected member of Phi Beta Mu and the American Bandmasters Association.

Of all his accomplishments, Matthew is most proud of his many students who have become outstanding educators, performers, and leaders. He remains deeply grateful for his friends and colleagues and, above all, for Judy and his family.

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