Meet The U.S. Air Force Band’s new Chief Music Librarian

Published April 2, 2016
By Master Sgt. Will Hurd

JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. -- The U.S. Air Force Band recently hired a new Chief Music Librarian. I had the pleasure of interviewing Technical Sgt. Matthew Dannan and talking about his multifaceted career in music; first as a trombone player in the Marines, then as a music educator and music librarian. We also spoke about his interesting hobbies as a marathon runner and as a family genealogist.

Q: Please tell us about what got you started in music. How old were you when you started playing trombone? Do you play any other instruments?
A: I grew up in a musical family in Las Vegas and heard my parents practice and perform music from the time I was a baby. My father was a folk singer and guitarist who performed at church, and my mother played piano. I started music in elementary school with singing and piano lessons. I started playing trombone in sixth grade and dabbled with a few other instruments in the brass family. As an undergraduate music education major, I had to learn all of the applicable musical instruments as a degree requirement. Currently, I play trombone, trumpet and euphonium on a regular basis.

Q: What got you interested in military service?
A: In high school I developed an interest in military bands. My band director often played recordings of various military bands during our high school band rehearsals. I also borrowed military band recordings from the local public library; the recordings fed and fueled my interest in a career in military bands.

Q: I understand you have served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Please tell us about your experiences.
A: After high school, I enlisted in the Marines. After basic training, I attended the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia. From 1997-2000, I was stationed with the Marine Band in New Orleans. My most memorable performances as a Marine musician were the annual Navy Fleet Week events in New York City and the annual Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans. My final performance in the Marines was at an event to celebrate the opening of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Q: What did you do after leaving the Marines?
A: I separated from the Marines in 2000, then attended Loyola University in New Orleans where I received a degree in music education. After graduation, I taught music at several schools in southern Louisiana. I began teaching two weeks before Hurricane Katrina. After Katrina, only 3 of 9 schools in my school district reopened. I was asked to float between the schools teaching band. I remained in Louisiana for the rest of the school year, then moved back home to Las Vegas. I taught high school orchestra in Las Vegas for 9 years.

Q: What interested you about Air Force Band library position?
A: I initially became interested in library work while in the Marines. I worked in the Marine Band library as a collateral duty. After my time teaching in Las Vegas, I accepted a position as performance librarian at the University of North Texas, where I completed a Master's Degree in Library Science. I also filled additional library positions at the Brevard (North Carolina) Music Center and the Interlochen (Michigan) Music Center. When I found out about the Chief Librarian opening at The U.S. Air Force Band, I jumped at the opportunity. This was my chance to pursue a career which would combine both my professional interests - military bands and library work. I also liked the idea of moving to the Washington, D.C. area. I had fallen in love with D.C. over many years of participation in the Marine Corps Marathon; I'll be running in it for the seventh time this fall.

Q: Aside from running, do you have any additional hobbies?
A: Yes, in my spare time, I enjoy researching my family genealogy. I enjoy the detective work, and it uses many of the skills I've developed as a professional librarian.

The U.S. Air Force Band is pleased to welcome Dannan to its ranks. We look forward to benefitting from his expertise and his professionalism.

Dannan's interest in in military music began with listening to recordings produced by various military bands. For your own inspiration, visit our online music catalog where you can stream and download Air Force Band recordings and ringtones! http://www.usafband.af.mil/recordings/catalog/index.asp

Technical Sgt. Matthew Dannan prepares a score for an upcoming performance before sending it off to the conductor.