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Onstad, Matthew
A Wisconsin native, Dr. Matthew Onstad serves as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he teaches all things trumpet, coaches chamber music, and performs with the Whitewater Brass Quintet. He is the newest addition to the internationally renowned brass quintet Meridian Arts Ensemble and joined the Madison Symphony Orchestra trumpet section in 2025.
Heralded for his “wonderful, open sound and beautiful interpretations,” Onstad’s solo performances have included engagements with many regional orchestras and ensembles throughout the Midwest. A champion of new music and advocate for underrepresented composers, Matthew has commissioned and premiered works for trumpet and other brass chamber ensembles while actively concertizing around the nation.
In 2020, Matthew completed an album titled “In Memoriam” in fulfillment of his doctoral research. This collection of works consists of compositions written for trumpet and piano in memoriam of an iconic musical composer, family, or idea. “In Memoriam” features debut recorded works by Bruce Broughton, Kyle David Frost, Mirosław Gąsieniec, Edward Gregson, and James Stephenson, and is available on all music platforms.
An Army veteran, Onstad served in the 132nd Wisconsin Army National Guard Band and ended his 12-year military career at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Iowa, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, and previously held Principal Trumpet positions with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.
Onstad has previously taught trumpet at St. Ambrose University, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He has served as a master clinician with the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, the 132nd Army Band, and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra throughout the United States. He received his BM from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His primary teachers include John Aley, Alex Noppe, Jean Laurenz, Marty Robinson, and Robert Levy.
Matthew is a Yamaha endorsed Performing Artist and Clinician and performs exclusively on Toshi mouthpieces. He resides in Middleton, WI with his wife, Beth and their two boys, Elliot and Benji.
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