“Matt Kilby is one of my favorite musicians on this planet. He is multi-talented, endlessly curious, and humble. I’ve learned so much from him over the years, and I’m proud to get to call him a friend”
“A life well lived consists of two main components—always being a student in search of knowledge, growth and greater understanding, and also passing that wisdom on to the next generation as a teacher and mentor. Matthew Kilby represents this approach to the fullest—-he excels as both a student and a teacher, and walks this path with not only skill and talent, but with grace and humility.”
“Mr. Kilby is a gifted musician and well-rounded percussionist with great technical proficiency, stylistic awareness of the various musical genres he teaches and performs, and most importantly, superb musicianship.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Matthew Kilby throughout his graduate studies at Indiana University. We had opportunities to collaborate both on campus academically and off, playing local performances. Mr. Kilby approaches every musical endeavor with enthusiasm, positivity, and a strong sense of integrity. I knew we were always in for a great time when Matt was on the gig. Plus, he does it all: drumming, playing guitar, bass, and singing, not to mention his abilities in teaching, arranging, composing, recording, and editing, you name it and he does it!”
Matthew Kilby is a percussionist, educator, and composer based in Summerville, South Carolina. He serves as the Associate Band Director for Percussion and Jazz at Wando High School. Previously, he spent seven years at Fort Dorchester High School, where he received a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association in recognition of the 2024 FDHS Percussion Ensemble’s performance as a featured ensemble at SCMEA.
Matthew holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BMus, with Honors) and Indiana University (MM). He is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education at Boston University, having passed his qualifying exams in Fall 2024.
Matthew is a member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Education Committee and has contributed articles to Percussive Notes and PAS Classroom. His compositions and arrangements for percussion and marching band have been performed by university and high school ensembles nationwide, including the TMEA All-State Percussion Ensemble. His music is published through C. Alan Publications and Tapspace.
Through his company, Kilby Score & Sound LLC, Matthew provides original music, arrangements, and sound design for scholastic marching bands and other scholastic ensembles nationwide.
In addition to his work as an educator and composer, Matthew performs regularly with various ensembles and Latin jazz groups throughout the Charleston area.
Matthew Kilby and Wando High School proudly use Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, Evans Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and D’Addario cabling products.
“Mr. Kilby’s writing was able to launch the Ashley Ridge Percussion section to new highs in the 2022 season. This began immediately as he was able to get the music out to us in just a few days after being hired. The book was musically functional both in terms of timing and exciting impact moments. It was at a level that was accomplishable while giving the students moments to strive for throughout the season. Mr. Kilby made himself available for edits/changes throughout the entire process. Every percussion tape we received raved about the writing and how musically appropriate it was for the show this year.”