Matthew Bassett became Principal Timpanist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2009. In addition to his duties with the BPO, he maintains a busy schedule as a conductor, performer, and educator in western New York and beyond.
As a conductor, Mr. Bassett has prepared and directed many premiere performances, including works by Greg D’Alessio, Carl Schimmel, and Monica Houghton. In 2013, Matt conducted the Buffalo Chamber Players in a presentation of two operas based on the writings of W.B. Yeats; The following year, he conducted many of his BPO colleagues in an orchestra performance to benefit the First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo.
Highlights of Matt’s performance career have included serving as principal timpanist for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington, New Zealand; performing as percussion soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, National Repertory Orchestra, and the Canton Symphony; and participating in the U.S. premiere performance of Four4 by John Cage at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City with the composer in attendance. Since 1993, he has been principal timpanist & percussionist with Apollo’s Fire (The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra). Matt can be heard on numerous commercial recordings with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Apollo’s Fire, and the Cleveland Orchestra.
Mr. Bassett operates a home business repairing and refurbishing percussion instruments and equipment. He also re-wraps timpani mallets for professional and amateur performers, and prepares calfskin timpani heads for professional performers and orchestras. Matt resides in Buffalo with his daughter and his partner Kathleen Bassett, a music educator, choral conductor, and vocal soloist.