Matthew Stratton

Matt (Doc) Stratton is Professor of Music and holds the Charlene Hawkins Chair of Instrumental Music at Olivet Nazarene University School of Music where he serves as the Director of Athletic Bands. Under his leadership, the 200 member Tiger Marching Band has performed as the lead band in the London New Years Day Parade, the Presidential Inaugural Parade, and has recently accepted an invitation to perform in Rome, Italy. In addition to his duties with the marching and basketball bands, he conducts the wind ensemble, teaches courses in the music education and music theory curriculums, and offers applied tuba and euphonium lessons as his schedule permits. 

Doc began marching in the drum corps activity at the age of fourteen with the Rochester Patriots and finished his marching career with the Cadets of Bergen County. He has taught the drum corps activity with the Patriots, Magic of Orlando, and Blue Stars. Doc joined the staff of the Bluecoats in 2012 as a tuba technician, and became the Assistant Brass Caption Head in 2013. Outside of Bluecoats, Doc maintains an active role in the marching arts. His affiliations include Rhythm X Winds of WGI, Bands of America, Yamaha, and Ultimate Drill Book. He is a member the Sycamore Brass Quintet and the founder of Fusion Tuba Quartet. Doc keeps a regular calendar as performer, clinician, and adjudicator, throughout the US and abroad.

Doc holds the Bachelors Degree in Music Education with Performer’s Certificate from the State University of New York College at Fredonia, the Master of Music in Tuba Performance and Doctor of Music in Brass Pedagogy from the Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Kappa Lamda, College Band Directors National Association, and International Tuba and Euphonium Association. His primary teachers are Don Burke, Russel Mikkelson, Rudy Emilson, Harvey Phillips, and Dan Perantoni.

When not teaching and traveling, Doc loves spending time with his family. He is married to his lovely bride, April Stewart Stratton, and together they raise four children, Connor, Lillian, Camden, and Parker. The family resides in Bourbonnais, Illinois.