Matthew George

Matthew J. George is the John Ireland Distinguished Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Orchestras at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also held the Chair of the Department of Music for twenty years and serves as Chair and conductor for the Music Education Center at Xi’an Jiaotong University in China. His roles include Artistic Director and Conductor of Grand Symphonic Winds and primary conductor of the Lake Wobegon Brass Band.

Dr. George earned a D.M.A. in conducting from the University of North Texas, an M.M. in music education from Southern Methodist University, and a B.M. in music education and trumpet performance from Ithaca College. He has conducted professional and educational ensembles globally, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, São Paulo State Symphonic Band, and Band of the People’s Liberation Army (China). He founded the Banda Sinfônica in Mexico City and serves as Artistic Director for international festivals in venues like the Sydney Opera House.

Active in academic leadership, he chairs the New Music Committee for the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) and sits on the executive board of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. His research focuses on conducting pedagogy, wind literature performance, and commissioning new works, with over 100 commissioned pieces by composers like Nigel Clarke and Frank Ticheli. He leads the UST Symphonic Wind Ensemble, which has released seven CDs on innova/Naxos.

Recent courses include Advanced Instrumental Conducting (Summer 2025) and directs the University Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Fall 2025). He has been honored with the University of St. Thomas Professor of the Year Award.