Robert K. Matchett earned his bachelor and master's degrees in music education from Duquesne University where he was a trombone student of legendary teacher Matty Shiner. Until he retired he was, for 37 years, director of bands at Seneca Valley High School. During its years of competition, under his direction, the combined SV bands received continual consecutive adjudication ratings of superior and/or first place.
His original compositions and arrangements for wind ensemble, jazz ensemble and trombone are published by JPM publications.
As an author his articles have appeared in numerous periodicals, including "The Music Educator's Journal", "The Instrumentalist", "The School Musician", "Woodwind World, Brass and Percussion Magazine", "Strength and Health Magazine", and "The Good News Broadcaster".
As a professional trombonist he has played for many years with various bands in the Pittsburgh area. He has also backed up numerous stars of the entertainment world , such as Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, Henry Mancini, The Mills Brothers, The Lettermen, Vicki Carr, Nancy Wilson, and Joe Williams. In addition he traveled, and performed concerts with, The Tommy Dorsey Band under the direction of Warren Covington, The Jimmy Dorsey Band under the direction of Lee Castle, and The Charlie Spivak Band.
His awards and honors have included, The Zelienople Distinguished Service Award, The Fest -I-VaI Outstanding Contribution to Musical Excellence Award in 1991 and 1993, Gift of Time Award in 1991 and 1994. He has been listed in 5 editions of Who's Who Among America's Teachers. In 1975 he was the given the Zelienople Area Jaycees, Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award. The Seneca Valley Band Boosters have named the scholarship they award each year, to those SV band students who are attending college to study music, The Robert K. Matchett Scholarship. He is a guest conductor, clinician, and contest adjudicator.
In addition to music his interests include travel, reading, (especially history), physical fitness and martial arts he has a black belt in tae kwon do from Young Brothers TKD where he assists as an instructor at the Cranberry school .
