Voices

Matt McCutchen

By Ann Carney | USF News

From the time he was in seventh grade, Matt McCutchen knew he wanted to be a band director. "My mother was a piano major who became an outstanding middle and high school choral director," he says. "I think I was born into it."

Today, McCutchen directs the Herd of Thunder (HOT), USF's Marching Band, and the university's symphonic band. In addition, he oversees the concert band and teaches courses in conducting and music education. The Virginia native holds a Ph.D. in music education from Florida State University, where for three years he was on the staff of the Marching Chiefs. He holds a master's in conducting from Virginia Commonwealth University, a bachelor's in music education from Furman University and has more than 10 years experience working with high school bands.

At 315 members, this year's HOT is the largest marching band in USF history. The band plays for all home football games, and the Pep Band (RUMBLE) plays for basketball and a handful of volleyball games.

"The students in this band are exceptional," McCutchen says. "It is an entirely volunteer program. No one has to be there."

In December, McCutchen and about a third of the band members will travel to England to perform in the 2013 New Year's Day Parade and Festival in London — the largest parade of its kind in the world. It's McCutchen's second appearance at the invitation-only event, which nine years ago he says, "was one of the highlights of my career."

HOT will perform for a street audience of more than half-a-million, and a worldwide TV audience of more than 220 million, along a parade route through London's iconic Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus and Whitehall.

"When you walk down the streets of London, you are walking through history," McCutchen says. "From performance and educational standpoints, this is a tremendous opportunity."

What would surprise people about HOT?

That most of the students are not music majors. We have students from every walk of life here.

How much practice goes into a game?

It depends entirely on the amount of time between games, but anywhere from two weeks to one month. There's a huge amount of work that goes into a six- to eight-minute performance.

What has changed about your job over the last 10 years?

The whole entertainment industry has changed. It used to be that the band was the focus of all non-football musical entertainment. Now, with piped in music, Jumbotrons and ads, we are a part of the package, not the only focus.

What's different between a high school band and a college band?

High school bands are often focused on marching competitions. We are only interested in supporting our university and entertaining our fans.

How did you manage a trip to London during bowl season?

When first invited by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, I said "no way" because of the bowl schedule. But they were insistent and we were encouraged by USF Athletics to look into it. With enthusiastic support from the president, the provost and athletics, we accepted the invitation.

What don't most people know about you?

In college, I taught Miss South Carolina how to "play" the marimba. The results are still an Internet sensation.