A native of Orlando, Florida, Matthew Castner recently completed his final year at Case Western Reserve University earning dual bachelor's degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Music utilizing the joint program with the Cleveland Institute of Music. In Fall 2016 he will begin a Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance at Stephen F. Austin State University studying with Dr. Nathan Nabb.
While at CWRU, Matthew performed with the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra under the baton of Carl Topilow, CIM New Music Ensemble, University Circle Wind Ensemble and the CWRU Jazz Ensemble. As a 2013 Winner of the CWRU Concerto Competition, he performed Paul Creston’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone with the University Circle Wind Ensemble. In 2016 he was awarded the Arthur H. Benade Prize for his contributions to music during his time on campus. As a chamber musician, Matthew held the soprano chair of the Ingeniare Quartet, who completed a week long tour in Helsinki, Finland and were announced as semifinalists in the Coltman Chamber Music Competition. The group also gave the premiere performance of a new work for saxophone quartet Departure, by composer Kevin Krumenauer.
Matthew has performed in numerous masterclasses, including for such distinguished artists as Jean-Marie Londeix, Phil Woods, Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo and Douglas Masek. His primary instructors include Greg Banaszak and Jeremy Williamson.
