VIOLIN | VIOLA

Matthew Brown is a violinist, violist and composer, born in 1985 in Canterbury, England. He trained as a chef in Thanet College, specialising in Patisserie and Confectionary. Matthew then began to study for a music degree at Canterbury Christ Church University, focusing on composition under Prof. Roderick Watkins. After graduating in 2010, he was awarded a scholarship by the Richard Newitt and Radcliffe trusts to study for a Master of Music in Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music under Prof. Adam Gorb and Paul Patterson, which he completed in 2013.

In 2024, Matthew was awarded his PhD in composition at RNCM – entitled Balancing Idealism and Pragmaticism in composition for Wind Bands and Wind Ensembles – with Adam Gorb and Paul Patterson as his supervisors. During his PhD studies, Matthew’s music was performed by players from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Oare String Orchestra, University of Kent String Sinfonia, Invicta Wind Orchestra, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band, the Band of the RAF College, the Treske Quartet and Sacconi Quartet.

Matthew’s music is published by Universal Edition, Hafabra Music, Larch Music and Brookwright Music.

As a performer, Matthew took lessons in violin since the age of six, while also taking brief courses in oboe, piano and drums. He performs on both violin and viola – with a keen interest in performing on viola regularly with established groups including Oare String Orchestra, Canterbury Catata and Leon String Quartet.