Master Sergeant Matthew C. Erickson is a trombonist with the USAFE Band, where is assigned to the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and The Ambassador’s Jazz Ensemble.   Additionally, he is the First Sergeant for the Band.  Sergeant Erickson has also served Air Force bands as an Operations Flight Chief, Readiness Flight Chief, Operations Support NCOIC, Group NCOIC, music director, drum major, arranger, chief librarian, IT manager, operations representative, physical training leader, and unit fitness monitor. 

Sergeant Erickson holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree (magna cum laude) from the University of South Dakota and a Masters of Music degree in trombone performance from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  As a bass trombone soloist, Matthew has also been featured on six Midwestern tours with the USAF Heartland of America Concert Band, two New England tours with the USAF Band of Liberty Concert Band, and also appeared as soloist with the New England Conservatory Symphonic Winds, Sioux City (IA) Municipal Band, the USD Concert Band, the Buena Vista University (IA) Wind Ensemble, the University of Nebraska-Omaha Trombone Choir and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Trombone Choir. In March 2002, he was the guest soloist with the Augustana College Trombone Choir at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, D.C.   In March of 2014, Sergeant Erickson performed the Chris Brubeck Bass Trombone Concerto with the New England Conservatory Symphonic Winds in Boston's famed Jordan Hall to open the College Band Directors National Association Regional Conference. 

When not on duty with the Air Force, Sergeant Erickson is active in many musical pursuits.  From 2012-2013, he was selected as the Music Director and Conductor of the Bay Colony Brass in Boston, MA.  He led the 21-member ensemble in community concerts at various venues throughout Boston.  As an ensemble performer, he has performed with San Antonio Symphony, Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Lincoln (NE) Symphony Orchestra, Sioux City (IA) Symphony, Bay Colony Brass, Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, Omaha Big Band, Jim Widner Big Band, Continental Trombone Quartet, Omaha Trombone Quartet, Omaha Brass Ensemble, and Upstream Brass Quintet.   He has served on the faculty of Iowa Western Community College and maintains a successful private trombone studio.

EDUCATION
2000: Bachelor of Music Education degree in trombone, University of South Dakota
2000: Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2004: Airman Leadership School, Offutt AFB, NE
2005: Associate of arts degree in Music, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL
2009: Master of Music degree in trombone performance, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Omaha, NE
2014: Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX
2014: Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Correspondence Course
2016: Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Correspondence Course
2016: Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II Correspondence Course
2019: Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jul 2000 - Aug 2011, trombone, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
2. Aug 2011 - Jul 2013, trombone, USAF Band of Liberty, Hanscom AFB, MA
3. Aug 2013 – Jul 2018, trombone, USAF Band of the West, Lackland AFB, TX
4. Jan 2017 – Jul 2017, Superintendent of Band Operations, AFCENT Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
5. Aug 2018 – present, trombone, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
USAF Heartland of America Band Airman of the Quarter Jul-Sep 2003, Apr-Jun 2004
John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School Class O4-H
2004: HQ ACC/PA Airman of the Year
2004: ACC Band Airman of the Year
2004: ACC Public Affairs Band Airman of the Year
2004: USAF Public Affairs Band Airman of the Year
2005: AFSA Storz Award Finalist
USAF Heartland of America Band NCO of the Quarter, Jul-Sep 2006, Oct-Dec 2008
2009: USAF Heartland of America Band NCO Public Affairs Excellence in Communications Award
2009: ACC NCO Public Affairs Excellence in Communications Award
USAF Band of Liberty NCO of the Quarter, Oct-Dec 2011
Electronic Systems Center / Special Staff NCO of the Quarter, Oct-Dec 2011
USAF Band of Liberty Musician of the Quarter, July-Sep 2012
Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award, 2013
Distinguished Graduate, Robert D. Gaylor Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Class 14-2
USAF Band of the West NCO of the Quarter, Jan-Mar 2014
2014: USAF Band of the West NCO of the Year
2017: Band of the West SNCO Communicator of the Year
2017: AETC Public Affairs SNCO Communicator of the Year
2018: Band of the West SNCO of the Quarter, Jan-Mar 2018

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Master Sergeant - 01 February 2016

(Current as of Apr 2019)