Originally from Jasper, Alabama, Matthew Meadows joined the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in April of 2025. He remains in-demand as a soloist, chamber musician and clinician. In recent years, he has earned top prizes in numerous solo competitions. In 2019, he was awarded second-prize in the International Horn Competition of America University Division. Most recently, he was named the “National Winner” in the MTNA Young Artist Competition, winner of the International Phoenix Music Competition for Horn Duos, winner of the 2021 Southeast Horn Workshop Graduate Solo Competition, winner of the 2021 Kappa Kappa Psi Biennial Solo Competition, winner of the 2022 FOOSA Philharmonic Concerto Competition, and winner of the 2022 United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” National Collegiate Solo Competition. Matthew has been an active professional having served as the Principal Horn of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Co-Principal Horn of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and Third Horn of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. In addition, he has been a substitute player with orchestras such as Alabama Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Huntsville Symphony, Mobile Symphony, and Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. Matthew has performed internationally as a soloist, most recently appearing with the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra at the 2024 Toradze International Music Festival in Tblisi, Georgia.  Along with an active symphonic schedule, Matthew has been an active chamber musician. He was principal horn of the Capstone Horn Quartet, also known as “Tater and the Tots” which was awarded first-prize in both the Southeast Horn Workshop Quartet Competition and the International Horn Society Summer Symposium Amateur Quartet Competition. Matthew is currently completing the final stages of his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree under the instruction of Charles “Skip” Snead and also working towards a Secondary Concentration in Wind Conducting with Dr. Ken Ozzello. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s degree in horn performance from the University of Alabama. Matt is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, the International Horn Society, and a Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Josh Pantoja is horn player for the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra since 2004, and horn professor at the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory, College and Pre-College levels. Faculty at Clazz International Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy, Brass Coach for the Puerto Rico Youth Symphony Orchestra and Substitute Horn Professor at the Juilliard Pre-College. He is an active chamber music performer with Camerata Caribe, Café Corta’o Horn Quartet and Pantojazz. Joshua is also a songwriter and the author of the books “From Classical to Jazz an Improvisation Method”, “Ornamenting your Improvisation a Guide to Approach Notes”, “Chord Tone Arpeggios” and “Basics and Colors – Horn Etudes”, the later one commissioned by the Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program. Pantoja has performed Masterclasses at Manhattan School of Music, The Mannes School of Music, The Juilliard Summer Program, Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program, Bard College, Montclair University, Delaware University, Shenandoah Conservatory, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, University of Arizona. He was also a guest artist at the Southeast Horn Workshop (2023) at the University of Central Florida. Most recently Prof. Pantoja was on tour in Europe, performing Masterclasses in Germany, Switzerland and Italy, some of the schools and universities were: Frankfurter Bläserchule in Frankfurt, Hochschule für Musik in Hannover,  Hochschule für Musik in Nürnberg, Musik-Kurzwochen in Arosa. Another places Pantoja has performed Masterclasses are National University of Colombia in Bogota, University of Caldas in Manizales- Colombia, University of Eafit in Medellin- Colombia, Puerto Rico Music Conservatory and many different music schools in Puerto Rico; Faculty at the International Horn Festival and Academy in Manizales- Colombia, 2008 and 2009. During pandemic times he performed Online Masterclasses for the University of Panamá, Latino American Horns and Peruvian Horns. Professor Pantoja began his musical studies at Escuela Libre de Música in Caguas, Puerto Rico at the age of 12, where he received  his first French Horn lessons from Professor Jorge Figueroa. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School where he studied with Professor Jerome Ashby and his Master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music with Professor Javier Gándara. Currently he studies Jazz and Improvisation with Professor Julito Alvarado. Joshua performs with Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra since 2004 as a member of the horn section. During the summer 2023, Prof. Pantoja was invited to performed Mahler Second Symphony  as part of the horn section of the NDR RadioPhilharmonie in Hannover, Germany. He also has performed with the The Orchestra of the Americas, where he visited countries in Central and South America, Europe and several states of the United States. In 2022 he was guest musician at the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam with the Humberto Ramirez´s Big Band. Other important musical ensembles that he has perform with includes Colombia National Symphony Orchestra, International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, Camerata Pops, Eafit Symphony Orchestra, Dominican Republic National Symphony Orchestra, American Russian Young Artist Orchestra (2002 Russia and USA Tour), New York Opera Society, Di Capo Opera in NY, Manhattan Virtuosi, Filarmónica Arturo Somoano in Puerto Rico, Caguas Municipal Band, Puerto Rico State Band,  Casals Festival Orchestra, The Juilliard Orchestra, The Juilliard Symphony, Manhattan School of Music Orpheus Institute, Manhattan School of Music Symphony, Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras, Altenburg Music Festival (Germany), Idlyllwild Music Festival (California), The Orchestra of the Americas (2002-04 and 2006), Paquito D’Rivera 50th Anniversary All Stars Concert at Carnegie Hall, VII International Festival of Music and Sacred Art at the Vatican, Rome 2008, World Economic Forum 2010 at Carnegie Hall.      Married to a beautiful Colombian woman, likes to spend his summers in Colombia. Loves coffee, birds and going to the beach.

About the Artist Stephen Lange has been a member of The Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra since 2010. Previous positions have included Associate Principal Trombone of the Saint Louis Symphony and Assistant Principal Trombone/Second Trombone in the San Antonio Symphony. Mr. Lange has also performed with the All-Star Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and internationally toured with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Kennedy Opera House. He is also in demand as a clinician and soloist, presenting solo recitals and master classes worldwide. Mr. Lange has been on the faculty of many of the top trombone festivals, such as the Cleveland Trombone Seminar, The Eastman Summer Trombone Institute, The Georgia Trombone Summit, and the Southeastern Trombone Symposium, as well as coachings with the New World Symphony. A native of Dallas, Texas, Mr. Lange earned a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, and a Performer’s Certificate from Indiana University in 1997, and graduated with a Masters of Music degree in 1999 from the Juilliard School. As a student he won several awards, including the ITF Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize, ITF Frank Smith Trombone Competition – and with the Extension Ensemble Brass Quintet, first place at the Molnterey Bay and Fischoff Chamber competitions.  During his time in Saint Louis, Mr. Lange helped found, and was a member of, The Trombones of the Saint Louis Symphony. The group gave master classes and recitals throughout the Midwest, culminating in the critically acclaimed recording, 4.1.  As a music educator, Mr. Lange is on faculty at the New England Conservatory of Music, working with private students, the trombone choir, and the Orchestra Brass Repertoire Class. He is forever indebted to his teachers; Joe Dixon, Texas, Keith Brown, Professor Emeritus at Indiana University, and Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic.

Marine Band Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Its mission is unique—to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. President John Adams invited the Marine Band to make its White House debut on New Year’s Day, 1801, in the then-unfinished Executive Mansion. In March of that year, the band performed for Thomas Jefferson’s inauguration and it is believed that it has performed for every presidential inaugural since. In Jefferson, the band found its most visionary advocate. An accomplished musician himself, Jefferson recognized the unique relationship between the band and the Chief Executive and he is credited with giving the Marine Band its title, “The President’s Own.” Whether performing for State Dinners or South Lawn arrivals, events of national significance, or receptions, Marine Band musicians appear at the White House an average of 200 times each year. These performances range from small ensembles such as a solo pianist, jazz combo or brass quintet to a country band, dance band or full concert band. The diversity of music often presented at the Executive Mansion makes versatility an important requirement for Marine Band members. Musicians are selected at auditions much like those of major symphony orchestras, and they enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps for permanent duty with the Marine Band. Most of today’s members are graduates of the nation’s finest music schools, and more than 60 percent hold advanced degrees in music. In addition to its White House mission, “The President’s Own” performs an annual season showcase series of indoor concerts and a popular outdoor summer concert series on the National Mall. Musicians from the band are frequently highlighted in solo performances and participate in more intimate chamber ensemble recitals that feature a wide range of smaller instrumental groups. Marine Band musicians also perform in many different types of ceremonies and events throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area including the Presidential Inauguration, Full Honors funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, Honor Flight ceremonies for veterans at the National World War II Memorial, Friday Evening Parades at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., and educational programs in schools throughout the National Capital Region. Each fall, the Marine Band travels throughout a portion of the continental United States during its concert tour, a tradition initiated in 1891 by “The March King” John Philip Sousa, who was the band’s legendary 17th Director. As Director from 1880–92, Sousa brought “The President’s Own” to an unprecedented level of excellence and shaped the band into a world-famous musical organization. Since Sousa’s time, the band’s musical reach has extended beyond America’s borders on several occasions with performances in England, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, and the former Soviet Union. During Sousa’s tenure, the Marine Band was one of the first musical ensembles to make sound recordings. By 1892, more than 200 different titles were available for sale, placing Sousa’s marches among the first and most popular pieces ever recorded. While the Marine Band is firmly dedicated to preserving the unique musical traditions established over its long history, it is equally committed to serving as a leading ensemble in the development of new repertoire for winds. In 2000, “The President’s Own” commissioned David Rakowski’s Ten of a Kind, a piece honored as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in music in 2002. In 2007, the band commissioned “Scamp” by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Melinda Wagner, and the Marine Band premièred Scott Lindroth’s Passage at the 2010 Midwest Clinic in Chicago. In 2011, the band commissioned and premièred Flourishes and Meditations on a Renaissance Theme by Michael Gandolfi at the American Bandmasters Association’s annual convention in Norfolk, Va. Most recently, music written for the Marine Band has included Gerard Schwarz’ Above and Beyond, Jacob Bancks’ The Information Age and Laurence Bitensky to write Fearsome Critters, the latter of which was premièred at the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio in July 2012. On July 11, 1998, the Marine Band celebrated its 200th anniversary with a command performance at the White House and a gala concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington attended by President and Mrs. Clinton. Also during its bicentennial year, the Marine Band was the only ensemble inducted into the inaugural class of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in Cincinnati. Given its status among American musical organizations, “The President’s Own” continues to attract prominent guest conductors from major orchestras around the globe, including Osmo Vänskä, Leonard Slatkin, José Serebrier and Gerard Schwarz. On July 12, 2003, the Marine Band returned to the Kennedy Center to celebrate its 205th anniversary in a concert featuring guest conductor John Williams, renowned composer of American film and concert works and laureate conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. Williams returned to the podium in 2008 to conduct the final concert of the Living History concert series celebrating the Marine Band’s 210th anniversary. In honor of the Marine Band’s 215th birthday, John Williams composed and dedicated an original work to the Marine Band aptly titled “For ‘The President’s Own.’” The Marine Band’s integral role in the national culture and in the government’s official life has affirmed the importance of the arts as a bridge between people. Since 1798, the Marine Band’s mission has been to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. As the only musical organization with that mission, the Marine Band looks to the future, viewing its history and tradition as the foundation upon which to build its third century of bringing music to the White House and to the American people.