Matt Zavitz' Biography

2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, Matt participated with youth choir jams. Junior and high school students from various churches participate in this 2-day even with a concert at the end. Participates with and has performed numerous times with the church handbell ensemble and choir under the direction of Ellen Birch.
2003 - Played bass guitar with youth choir jam listed above. Summers of 2002 and 2003 - with alto saxophone participated in and was placed in the top band at midatlantic band camp at Ferrum College in Virginia. Matt received a certificate of merit and record of achievement award in recognition of outstanding performance at the camp recitals. He received another certificate in recognition of a high degree of dedication, individual interest and skill. 2000-2003 - First chair alto saxophone in symphonic and jazz bands in middleschool under the direction of Robert Ellithorpe. 2003-2004 - First chair alto saxophone in symphonic and first co-chair in high school jazz bands under the direction of Dave Allam. Spring 2003 - Recital with alto saxophone mentor, Karl Von Klein. Spring2003 - Received the outstanding soloist acheivement award for alto saxophone at musicale Williamsburg, VA. Matt participated in Youth Missions fundraisers with voice, saxophone and guitar. July, 2003 - Dave Adams invited Matt to join Young Razzcals and has performed at Virginia Beach and Newport News, VA Arts Festival. November, 2003 - Competed for and won a talent search for J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, VA. He performed with their music club and was invited back to "jam" and perform with the club on a regular basis.

Matt started a jazz band with friends at school. The band is called "52 Card Pick-Up". They have performed at fundraisers for Mission.

Matt composed a song titled "Matt's Muse". He received first place at the school and county levels in the Music Category for Hanover County Nation PTA Reflections Contest in the senior high division. It has presently gone to district level for competition. "Matt's Muse" has parts for first and second saxophone, first and second trumpet, piano, bass and percussion. He programmed the parts into the keyboard. He then recorded the music onto a tape as he played and improvised with the alto saxophone.

Karl Von Klein, Matt's private mentor, adds the following: "His technical facility is smooth and controlled due to relaxed, close finger position. He navigates nimbly through major, minor, chromatic, and blues scales. His range is one of his most impressive skills, extending the standard by a full octave. Matt commands the altissimo register at a highly advanced level. This results from a well-developed embouchure, versatile throat position, and pitch recognition. Supporting a full tone spanning a wide dynamic spectrum, he adjusts pitch to maintain accurate intonation. He recognizes and executes classical and jazz articulations, reads complex syncopation in double, triple, odd and changing meters, and easily switches between straight and swung eighth notes. All of these skills surface tastefully from his extensive improvisation arsenal. Blues, jazz, ballad, bebop, latin, rock and modal are among the styles he plays.

He phrases maturely within chord changes, utilizes varied elements of tension and release, quotes melodies, creates rhythm, and takes chances beyond where his ear leads. He performs confidently, often memorizing the music. Additionally, Matt

composes with a keyboard, programming multiple part into a computer for playback. His work contains inventive chord changes drawing from major, minor, sevenths, and diminished. His appetite for music has extended to the self-teaching of the guitar and bass, and he also sings with the church choir. Positive character and rich potential shine through his music."