New Music Director Arrives at VMI

VMI cadets will march to the beat of a different director of music this fall, as Lt. Col. Matthew Halligan, a percussionist, has been hired to replace Col. John Brodie (Hon), who recently retired after 36 years.

Halligan, who will lead the Regimental Band, the Commanders Jazz Band, the Institute Brass Ensemble, the Herald Trumpets and Drummers, and the Cadet Buglers, holds a doctoral degree in music performance from George Mason University and has extensive experience in directing high school and college marching bands.

He comes to VMI from Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, Missouri, where he served as director of athletic bands and director of the percussion studio for 2 years. Prior to that, he worked at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, for 3 years, where he directed the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and oversaw all instrumental music ensembles, including the pep band, the jazz band, the pipes and drums band, and the Naval Academy Orchestra. In addition, he coordinated football halftime performances and performed with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.

Before working at the USNA, he was an adjunct faculty member for multiple colleges and universities, including Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria and Annandale, Virginia; Stevenson University in Stevenson, Maryland; and George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He also worked with the marching bands at the University of Maryland in College Park and Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky.

After receiving a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Halligan joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a member of The Commandant’s Own, the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps at Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. The ensemble performed worldwide, with Halligan playing marimba and serving as a percussion music arranger. While in the Corps, he earned a Master of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University.

Halligan noted that he was not looking for another position when he stumbled upon the VMI job listing, as he and his wife, Christine, were quite happy in Missouri. “I was intrigued by the job description, and after talking to Christine, who is from Virginia and still has family here, we decided that it was an amazing opportunity. I had previously lived in Northern Virginia for about 16 years, so many of my friends and professional colleagues are nearby, so it is kind of a homecoming.”

The Halligans are not unfamiliar with VMI. Christine’s father, Fred Bauer ’72, is a VMI alumnus who majored in history. The job combines several of Halligan’s interests: The military, military history, teaching at a military college, marching, music, and athletic bands. “Altogether, this really seemed to make a lot of sense for my professional interests. I’m up for the challenge, and there’s a good template already established by Colonel Brodie,” he stated.

Though he has not been on post long, Halligan is already working on recruiting new members to Band Company by reaching out to the incoming rats, especially those attending the Summer Transition Program, and gauging interest in the Regimental Band and the Pipe Band. He hopes to start a cadet concert band soon if his schedule and budget allow, as many new instruments would need to be purchased. “I think everybody would enjoy a change of pace from a lot of the marching, and it can be a great chance for the band members to work on their musicianship, play some slower pieces, and even some faster pieces in a different genre.”

Col. Kevin Faust ’96, commandant’s office chief of staff, looks forward to working alongside Halligan. “He is uniquely positioned, as a former member of the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and director of the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, to make an immediate and positive impact within our community. Halligan’s passion for music and the rapport that he is already building with our cadets make clear that the future of the VMI band is in good hands,” said Faust.

The Halligans will reside in Lexington with their two young sons, Brody and Caleb, as well as their golden retriever, Shosti, and Lady, a whippet mix.