Biography and education
Matthew Holzner is Professor of Instruction and Assistant Director of Bands at Texas State University, where he conducts the Texas State Concert Band, directs the Bobcat Basketball Band, and works with the 360-member Bobcat Marching Band. He teaches courses in undergraduate conducting and instrumental music education and serves as a university field supervisor for student teachers. His work at Texas State reflects a commitment to the preparation of future music educators and to meaningful musical experiences for students of all majors across the university.
An active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Holzner has worked with school bands and music educators throughout Texas and across the United States. He regularly serves as a clinician in public-school band programs and has conducted honor bands and adjudicated auditions and contests at the regional and state levels. His work with the Texas State athletic bands has included conference championship and postseason appearances as well as collaborations with university, professional sports, and corporate partners.
Holzner is a contributing author to GIA Publications’ Teaching Music through Performance in Band series and contributed to The Marching Band Director’s Video Toolbox, a professional development resource for marching band educators. His professional service has included work with the Texas Music Educators Association, College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. He has twice been recognized by Texas State University with the College Achievement Award for Excellence in Service.
Holzner earned the Master of Music degree in conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His principal tuba teachers included Mark Moore and Daniel Perantoni. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Bandmasters Association.
An active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Holzner has worked with school bands and music educators throughout Texas and across the United States. He regularly serves as a clinician in public-school band programs and has conducted honor bands and adjudicated auditions and contests at the regional and state levels. His work with the Texas State athletic bands has included conference championship and postseason appearances as well as collaborations with university, professional sports, and corporate partners.
Holzner is a contributing author to GIA Publications’ Teaching Music through Performance in Band series and contributed to The Marching Band Director’s Video Toolbox, a professional development resource for marching band educators. His professional service has included work with the Texas Music Educators Association, College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. He has twice been recognized by Texas State University with the College Achievement Award for Excellence in Service.
Holzner earned the Master of Music degree in conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His principal tuba teachers included Mark Moore and Daniel Perantoni. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Bandmasters Association.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Guest Conductor / Clinician, ATSSB Region 29/32 All Region Honor Band.
January 13, 2023 - January 14, 2023.
Performances:
- ATSSB Region 29/32 All Region Honor Band. January 13, 2023 - January 14, 2023
- Director, 2025-2026 Season: 32 Men’s & Women’s home basketball games. November 2, 2025 - February 27, 2026.
- Director, Concert Band - Fall 2025.
August 25, 2025 - December 1, 2025.
Performances:
- Concert, Cycle I. October 2, 2025
- Concert, Cycle II. November 19, 2025
- Assistant Director, Texas State Bobcat Marching Band, 2025 Season: 7 home football games; 2 exhibition performances; 1 away performance. August 30, 2025 - November 29, 2025.
- Director, Concert Band - Spring 2025.
January 12, 2025 - May 8, 2025.
Performances:
- Concert, Cycle I. February 26, 2025
- Concert, Cycle II. April 23, 2025
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Nominee: Presidential Achievement Award for Excellence in Service (Department Level), School of Music, College of Fine Arts and Communications - Texas State Unviersity. January 3, 2023
- Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Achievement Award for Excellence in Service (Department Level), School of Music, College of Fine Arts and Communications - Texas State Unviersity. December 18, 2021
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award for Excellence in Service, College of Fine Arts and Communications - Texas State Unviersity. February 24, 2020
- Award / Honor Recipient: Teaching Award of Honor, Texas State Alumni Association. August 1, 2020
- Award / Honor Recipient: Distinguished Member, Sigma Alpha Iota, Theta Omega Chapter. April 14, 2019

Featured service activities
- Clinician
ATSSB Area 7 Honor Band
- Member
Game Day Task Force
- Organizer
Game Day Spirit Band / Squad
- Other
TXST Band Camps
- Member
Athletics Game Day Operations Committee
- Member
Texas State University Spirit Committee
