Maj Matthew Henry, USAF Retired A native of Beavercreek, Ohio, Matthew Shane Henry received his Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in Jazz Studies (trumpet performance) from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Quickly demonstrating his educational prowess, he was named the first recipient of the School of Music's Outstanding Student Teacher Award. He enjoyed a successful seven-year career as a music educator in the public schools of Ohio, prior to being offered a graduate assistantship at the Jordan College of Fine Arts of Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana where he pursued a Master of Music degree in orchestral and wind conducting. While at Butler, he served as Associate Conductor of the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble and adjunct faculty with the undergraduate conducting and music education programs. During this time, he also was active as Principal Guest Conductor with the Butler Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his conducting and teaching responsibilities, Matthew also held the position of Principal Trumpet with the Orchestra throughout his assistantship including their tour of The Republic of China (Taiwan).
Making a shift from the education realm to the professional, Matthew was offered a highly selective position with the United States Air Force’s Music program as a conductor. Major (ret.) Henry has held a wide variety of assignments over his 20-year career in the Air Force to include 11 years as Commander, Conductor & Music Director of bands world-wide. He has literally, joined the Air Force and seen the world. In a combined 7 years leading bands overseas, he has visited or performed in 49 different countries throughout the Pacific, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Some Highlights include: As Conductor of the Chamber Winds of the USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Major (ret.) Henry secured the first ever invitation of a regional Air Force Band to perform at the International Double Reed Convention in August of 1999. In October of 2000, while serving as Deputy Commander & Associate Conductor of The USAF Band of the Rockies (USAF Academy Band), one of two of the Air Force Premier Bands at the time, he became the first USAF band officer invited to guest conduct and lecture at the Royal Marines School of Music in Portsmouth, England. He retired as Director of Staff & Associate Conductor for The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington DC. He remains active as a guest conductor, clinician, educator, adjudicator, and producer. Matthew is currently a graduate assistant in UNLV’s Wind Studies Division pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts.