Dr. Matthew Inkster, Conductor
Matthew Inkster is Associate Professor and Director of Instrumental Activities at West Liberty University and Artistic Co-Director of Winds on the Lake. He conducts the WLU Wind Ensemble and coordinates the brass area. Inkster is in demand as a guest conductor and clinician, having recently conducted honor and select groups in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, California and New York. He has specialized in conducting the music of our time and has led ensembles on several recordings of new music on American and European labels. His performances have been heard on national and regional NPR and worldwide on the BBC.
Inkster is also active as a trumpet soloist, recitalist and clinician and has performed in 45 states and across Europe. He is Principal Trumpet of the Symphony of the Mountains (Tennessee/Virginia) and has held similar positions with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (Florida) and the Chapman and Redlands Symphony Orchestras (California). He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards and has competed in some of the most prestigious trumpet competitions in the world: the Prague Spring International Music Competition, the International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition, the National Trumpet Competition, and the MTNA National Collegiate Artist Competition.
Dr. Inkster is the WVMEA Research and Grants Chair and has recently served as the Composition Contest Chairman for the International Trumpet Guild. He holds the degrees Doctor of Music (The Florida State University), Master of Music (University of Redlands), and Bachelor of Music Education (University of Wyoming). Dr. Inkster has taught in the public schools of Wyoming, California and Florida.
