Matthew Harding, featured cornet soloist on our recording of the Böhme Sextet, began his musical instruction at age 9. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music and a performers certificate from the Eastman School of Music and has completed one year of masters-level study at Rice University in Houston, TX. He has studied with John Martin, Charles Geyer, and Armando Ghitalla. In 1998 Matthew was offered a position with "The President's Own' United States Marine Band and was appointed the band's solo cornetist in January 2000. In addition to his duties with "The President's Own" Matthew is a member of the Washington Symphonic Brass, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, and the Concert Artists of Baltimore. He also performs as a substitute musician with the National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Matthew spent a year with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, FL, toured Japan with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and performed at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, Chautauqua Music Center in New York, and Walt Disney World in