Matthew Chinn

Email Matthew at: matthew@thistlebrass.com

Matthew is a native of Aberdeen and began playing the tuba at the age of 11. He studied with mentors Kevin Cormack and Eric Kidd during his secondary school days before accepting a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2000. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours of the First Class in 2004, a Post Graduate Diploma in Peformance in 2005 and was awarded a Master of Music Performance in 2006. Matthew is now employed by the RSAMD after accepting the full time position of ‘Youthworks Music Co-ordinator’ in August 2006.

During his time of study Matthew was taught by Anthony Swainson, Chris McShane, Dave Dowall, Chris Stern and recieved coaching from John Kenny in contemporary music techniques and didgeridoo!
Matthew was part of the historic tour with award winning ensemble Academy Brass to China in 2004, with an impromptu performance on the Great Wall of China!

Matthew has been the recipient of many prizes: in 2004 he was awarded the Musicians Benevolent Fund Education Award and the Robert McCreath Memorial Prize. In 2005 he went on to receive the John Mather Study Award, the Countess of Munster Trust Award, the Sir James Caird Traveling Scholarship and was re-awarded the Musicians Benevolent Fund Music Education Award and the Robert McCreath Memorial Prize. In 2006 he was awarded the Tunnel Trust and the Musicians Benevolent Fund’s Awards for Chamber Music as part of Thistle Brass.

Matthew has many years of experience in masterminding and presenting various community music workshops and lectures, and is the main driving force behind Thistle Brass' education programmes.
As well as freelancing with various orchestras, Matthew often swaps his place sat at the back of the orchestra counting bars rest for standing at the front directing performances with his baton! He studied conducting under Dr. Alistair Mitchell and continues to be put through his paces by Nigel Boddice MBE.