Dr. Matthew Halligan is an educator and freelance percussionist in Lexington, VA area who specializes in orchestral, marching, and contemporary percussion. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance from George Mason University, a Master of Music from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of the Cumberlands. Dr. Halligan has been the Music Director and Director of the Regimental Band at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) since 2024. He also directs the Commanders VMI Jazz Band, the Pep Band, the Ceremonial Trumpets, Ceremonial Drummers, the Herald Trumpets, and the Institute Brass.
Before teaching at VMI, Dr. Halligan was the Director of Athletic Bands and the Percussion Studio at Missouri Western State University. From 2019-2022, he was the Director of Instrumental Activities and Director of the Navy Drum and Bugle Corps at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Additionally, he previously taught for several years at George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and Stevenson University.
From 2005-2011, he served as the front ensemble section leader and as a percussion music arranger with “The Commandant’s Own” Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. In addition, he was nominated for Marine Musician of the Year at Marine Barracks 8th and I in 2006. Dr. Halligan has been a Percussion Caption Head for the Racine Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. While in college, he marched with Eklipse Indoor Drumline (WGI) and Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps. Since 2017, he has been the percussion music arranger for Sonus Brass Theater (a DCI Sound Sport ensemble).
Dr. Halligan has performed in the Washington DC and Northern Virginia areas with professional orchestras and musical ensembles including The American Festival Pops Orchestra (Principal Percussionist), The Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, the Capital Wind Symphony, the Virginia Grand Military Band, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington, the Music and Arts Orchestra at Providence Presbyterian Church, The National Concert Band of America, and as a percussionist for Washington DC’s The IN series at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. As a composer and arranger, Dr. Halligan has composed solo percussion music including Solar Flares for Percussion Ensemble, Lunar Lapse for Percussion Ensemble, Blue Variations for solo snare drum plus tape and Amazing Grace for solo marimba. He has arranged music for “The Commandant’s Own” Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, Sonus Brass Theater, The Music and Arts by Providence Orchestra, as well as for several college marching bands.