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Interviews with some of the leading marimba artist-teachers from the 20th century. Topics include opinions on teaching, performing, how and what to practice, taking competitive auditions, repertoire selection, health and more. This book includes what students learned from early teachers including Musser, Bethancourt and Hiroaka. A follow up book, with more artists, is in progress. Interviews were conducted by Greg Giannascoli with a foreword written by William Moersch.
Matthew Coley is an internationally acclaimed soloist and chamber musician, and the founder and executive/co-artistic director of Heartland Marimba. Matthew travels regularly bringing the beauty of the marimba's singing wood and the diverse timbre of other percussion, hammered dulcimer/cimbalom, and glass instruments to many audiences. He has performed in over 40 US states, 10 countries, and as a soloist with organizations throughout the US and abroad including the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, HBO/Giant Spoon’s Game of Thrones Experience at South by Southwest, Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival, University of Denver Percussion Ensemble, Sudar Percussion of Croatia, San Francisco Sinfonietta, Kurpfalzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim, and the Moldavian Philharmonic and Teleradio Symphony Orchestras.
Matthew’s work with Heartland Marimba (including the HM Quartet, Ensemble, Festivals, and Publications) has brought the marimba art form in front of audiences in more than 50 cities with 250 concerts for audiences of all kinds, including thousands of children. Additionally, HM's continual work with virtual content during 2020-2021 has led them to release 19 different remotely recorded videos of chamber works. Matthew has several critically acclaimed albums available. Between the Lines (2015) was released on the New Focus Recordings label, and Circularity (2010), Souvenirs (2012), Heartland Marimba Dances (2016), and Vision (2019 – HMQ’s album) are available through HMPublications and for download and streaming everywhere. He has performed as a soloist at five Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, and in numerous universities, institutions, and concert halls across the nation. Matthew has won several prizes from national and international competitions and holds percussion performance degrees from Northwestern University (DM and MM) and the University of North Texas (BM). Matthew's signature marimba mallets are available at JGpercussion, and his signature keyboard percussion practice pad system is available through Beetle Percussion. Please visit www.hearMatthewColey.com and www.HeartlandMarimba.com.