About

MATHEW HARGET is a woodwind artist, graphic designer, and educator specializing in classical saxophone currently based in Los Angeles. Beginning as a jazz musician, Mathew has spent many years as a member of various big bands. He has previously performed at the OMEA annual conference with featured artist Bobby Selvaggio and performed alongside guests Wayne Bergeron and Rusty Higgins. Once Mathew experienced the nuanced vibrance of classical saxophone, he began his transition away from the jazz world, and into the sphere of classical saxophone. Never fully giving up his roots, Mathew continues to imbue the liveliness of big band jazz into the classical saxophone realm to give emotional, dynamic performances.

Mathew received a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Saxophone Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in 2020, where he studied with Dr. J. Michael Weiss-Holmes. While there, he cultivated his love of chamber music as a member of the CCPA Saxophone Quartet and a founding member of the Carbon Reed Quintet (CARBON), an ensemble dedicated to using chamber music as a medium for climate change activism. Mathew received a Master of Music (M.M.) in 2023 at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA studying under Dr. Jan Berry Baker. Continuing his education at UCLA, Mathew is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) Degree. He is a continual recipient of the Gluck Fellowship (since 2021) and a member of the Gluck Saxophone Quartet. They regularly perform free concerts for the Los Angeles community. Mathew has participated in chamber workshops by the Fifth House Ensemble (CCPA) and DECODA (Gluck). As an orchestral saxophonist, he as performed several times with the UCLA Philharmonia and UCLA Symphony. Mathew has performed in masterclasses for Taimur Sullivan, Kenneth Tse, Eugenia Moliner, Denis Michael, Scott Hostetler, Pat Posey, Michael Hernandez, and Arno Bornkamp. He has additional studies from Thomas Snydacker and James Lang.

Mathew recently gave his Royce Hall debut as a winner of UCLA’s 18th annual All-Star Competition where he gave the premiere of Piet Swerts’ arrangement of Klonos for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra. He was also named winner of the 2023 Atwater-Kent Competition, performing John Adams’ Saxophone Concerto with the UCLA Philharmonia in Schoenberg Hall.

Mathew had the opportunity to curate content for the North American Saxophone Alliance's (NASA) social media accounts leading up to and during the 2020 biennial conference in Tempe, Arizona. He also redesigned the brand identity for the Chicago Saxophone Day and the Virtual Chicago Saxophone Institute. Since their redesigns, Mathew has served as the graphic designer for both annual events. He regularly designs promotional materials for local recitals and events. Mathew Harget will continue creative endeavors with the hope of further involvement in marketing and arts administration.