Matt Paterno
Baritone Technician

Matthew J. Paterno received his Bachelor of Music degree from Rutgers University-Mason Gross School of Arts in 1989. He studied conducting there with Scott Whitener and euphonium with Harold Janks of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. In 2014, Matt earned his Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton.

Mr. Paterno is the current music director of the Hanover Wind Symphony, an adult musical organization from Northern New Jersey. In this position, he has commissioned many new works for wind band and hosted world class soloists such as Stanley Drucker, Steven Mead and Michael Baker. The Hanover Wind Symphony performs 5-6 concerts a year with repertoire drawing from major band works, new music for wind ensemble, patriotic selections and holiday favorites.

Mr. Paterno recently retired from public education after 36 years of service. He began his teaching career as the fourth grade Music Teacher and High School Band Director for the Keansburg Public Schools and spent the last 35years as The Director of Bands and Instrumental Music at Wayne Hills High School. He continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member at William Paterson University where he instructs classes in Brass Methods, Understanding Music, Ear Training and Applied Euphonium. In addition, Mr. Paterno serves as a mentor for student teacher candidates. In the past, he worked with the William Paterson Summer Concert Band, and the Mt. Tabor Summer Band School. He also founded, organized and was the lead instructor for the Wayne Sounds of Summer music camp for 11 years.

Throughout his career, bands under Mr. Paterno’s baton have consistently received excellent and superior ratings in contests and festivals. He has had the distinction of having the Wayne Hills Wind Ensemble chosen to perform in Avery Fisher Hall in New York! He has also conducted several honors bands, including the following: North Jersey Area Symphonic Band, NJ Region I Junior High Jazz Band, NJ Region I Brass Ensemble, Bloomfield Youth Band, Future Musicians Incorporated All State Band, Millennium All State Band, Partesi Music Diocesan Band, Atlantic/Cape May Honors Band and The CJMEA Junior High Symphonic Band. Mr. Paterno is in demand as a clinician and brass teacher, as well as an adjudicator with the National Judges Association. Mr. Paterno was also the creator and coordinator of the NJMEA State Marching Band Festival and served for ten years as the chairman of the NJMEA State Conference Marching Band Academy.

Mr. Paterno is listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and is a two-time recipient of the Governor’s Teacher of the Year Award for Wayne Township. He was awarded the Eastern Marching Band Association’s Director of the Year award and was honored by School Band and Orchestra as the New Jersey representative of their “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” list.

Mr. Paterno lives in Parsippany with his wife Christine and their children: Anthony and Allison and dog Jazzy.