Matthew Hough

Matthew Hough

Associate Professor of Teaching, Composition, Theory, and Performance

Department of Music

Education

  • DMA (Composition), Manhattan School of Music, 2012.
  • MMus (Composition), Manhattan School of Music, 2009.
  • BMus (Composition), Manhattan School of Music, 2004.

Contact

Bio/CV: 

Matthew Hough is a composer, theorist and performer working on new and popular music.

His compositions have been described as “unnervingly exacting” (Time Out: New York), “mood music if you’re in a mental home” (Howard Stern) and “awful but also kind of brilliant” (Richard Danielpour) and performed and recorded by groups including the Wet Ink Ensemble, Yarn/Wire, loadbang, the Locrian Chamber Players and Iktus Percussion.

Hough’s research on music theory and pedagogy has been published in Music Theory Online and presented in papers to the College Music Society (2019), Analytical Approaches to World Music (2016) and the Ann Arbor Symposium IV (2015). As a singer and multi-instrumentalist, he co-founded avant-garde chamber groups Zs, Seductive Sprigs and Music=quals.

Hough’s current work includes concert, electronic and popular music composition and performance, as well as theory and analysis of popular song.

Music

Compositions

Hough, Matthew. (2023). Soft Lines for percussion and stereo playback. [14’] Score

Hough, Matthew. (2022). Three Takes for one or more musicians. [3'] Score

Hough, Matthew. (2021). High Rocks for glockenspiel and stereo playback. [7’] Score

Hough, Matthew. (2021). Mind Music for vibraphone solo. [3’] Score

Hough, Matthew. (2018). Herzlich for organ. [at least 8’] ScoreAudio (Meg Wilhoite)

Hough, Matthew. (2018). Three Voices for piano and stereo playback. [16’45”] ScoreVideo (Anne Rainwater)

Hough, Matthew. (2015). When Summer Ends (ten songs). [25’] Sheet MusicMusic Video (Matthew Hough)Live Acoustic (Matthew Hough with DoC)

Hough, Matthew. (2013). Eleven Cells for any number of woodwinds and live electronics. [7’ to 8’] ScoreAudio (Matthew Hough and Friends)

Hough, Matthew. (2012). Monday, June 18, 2012 for performer and stereo playback. [8’25”] Video (Matthew Hough)

Hough, Matthew. (2012). Eight Hands for percussion quartet. [9’] ScoreAudio (Iktus Percussion)

Hough, Matthew. (2011). Remembered States for chamber ensemble. [21’] ScoreAudio (Music=quals Ensemble)

Hough, Matthew. (2011). Archer Street Shuffle for concert band. [2'] Score

Hough, Matthew. (2010). pppppppppppppppp for four or more musicians. [5’] ScoreAudio (Music=quals Ensemble)

Hough, Matthew. (2010). Irreverent Overtones for any number of bassoons. [19’40”] ScoreAudio (Annie Lyle Mason)Score Video

Hough, Matthew. (2010). “Dilemma” Pieces for two violins, two accordions, two bass clarinets or two tubas. [5’] PartsAudio (Joshua Modney and Tema Watstein)

Hough, Matthew. (2009). Apologies for two speaking percussionists. [15’ to 20’] ScoreAudio (The Silent Book)

Hough, Matthew. (2009). “You should all be shot!” for any number of instrumental performers. [3’ to 9’] Audio (Music=quals Ensemble)

Hough, Matthew. (2008). Step Into the Fun Zone for ten instruments. [10’] ScoreAudio (Wet Ink Ensemble)

Hough, Matthew. (2008). Seven Pieces for flute and piano. [19’] ScoreAudio (Amelia Lukas)

Hough, Matthew. (2008). Silhouette for voice, bass clarinet, trumpet and trombone. [3’ to 5’] ScoreAudio (loadbang)

Hough, Matthew. (2008). Without Memories, Without Plans for orchestra. [7’] ScoreAudio (Manhattan Composers Orchestra)

Hough, Matthew. (2008). Hinterstück for any instrument solo. [variable duration] ScoreAudio (Amy Schumacher)

Hough, Matthew. (2007). Since We Don’t Understand… for electric guitar and piano. [3’] ScoreAudio (Matthew Hough and Eric Wubbels)Score Video

Hough, Matthew. (2006). When They Say My Number for two percussionists. [7’] ScoreAudio (Yarn/Wire)

Hough, Matthew. (2006). Rated G for cello solo. [6’] ScoreAudio (John Popham)Score Video

Antonio, Ian, Sam Hillmer, Matthew Hough, and Charlie Looker. (2006). The Hard EP for tenor saxophone, electric guitar, keyboard and percussion. [15’] Video (Zs)

Antonio, Ian, Sam Hillmer, Matthew Hough, Charlie Looker, and Brad Wentworth. (2006). Z is for Zone for four voices and percussion. [9’] Audio (Zs)

Hough, Matthew. (2005). Woodworking for two tenor saxophones, two electric guitars and two percussionists. [3’] ScoreAudio (Zs)

Hough, Matthew. (2005). The First Thing You Need To Do for two singing electric guitarists. [8’] ScoreAudio (Seductive Sprigs)

Hough, Matthew. (2005). Shake II for trombone solo. [9’]Audio (Mike Lormand)

Hough, Matthew. (2005). Tough Love for two singing electric guitarists. [2’] ScoreAudio (Seductive Sprigs)

Antonio, Ian, Sam Hillmer, Matthew Hough, Charlie Looker, Alex Mincek, and Brad Wentworth. (2005). Balk for two tenor saxophones, two electric guitars and two percussionists. [6’30”] Audio (Zs)

Hough, Matthew. (2004). Magnet for two tenor saxophones, two electric guitars and two percussionists. [6’] ScoreAudio (Zs)

Hillmer, Sam, Alex Hoskins, Matthew Hough, Charlie Looker, Alex Mincek, and Brad Wentworth. (2003). Bump for two tenor saxophones, two electric guitars and two percussionists. [7’ to 10’] Audio (Zs)

Hough, Matthew. (2003). Shake for trombone solo. [3’30”] ScoreAudio (Mike Lormand)

Hillmer, Sam, Alex Hoskins, Matthew Hough, Charlie Looker, Alex Mincek, and Brad Wentworth. (2003). Untitled for two tenor saxophones, two electric guitars and two percussionists. [4’] Audio (Zs)

Hough, Matthew. (2003). Lift for orchestra. [9’] ScoreAudio (Manhattan Composers Orchestra)

Hough, Matthew. (2003). There Are Many People in the World, and Everyone’s Got Their Own Vibe for guitar solo. [6’] ScoreAudio (Matthew Hough)

Hough, Matthew. (2002). Nocturne for guitar solo. [2’] ScoreAudio (Alejandro Cote)

Hough, Matthew. (2001). Fifteen Boxes for guitar solo. [at least 3’] ScoreAudio (Ian Gallagher)

Hillmer, Sam, Matthew Hough, and Alex Mincek. (2000). Arms for two tenor saxophones and electric guitar. [3’] Audio (Zs)

Hough, Matthew. (2000). One (M) for electric guitar solo. [3’] Audio (Matthew Hough)

Arrangements

Hough, Matthew. (2012). Music from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach for two plectrum guitars. [25’] ScoreAudio (Matthew Hough and Juan Calderon)Score Video

Hough, Matthew. (2009). Erev Shel Shoshanim for guitar solo. [2’30”] ScoreAudio (Dan Lippel)

Hough, Matthew. (2009). Two Folk Songs for voice and piano. [4’] ScoreAudio (Rachel Payne and Reiko Fueting)Score Video

Commercially Released Recordings

AS PRIMARY ARTIST:

  • Hough, Matthew. (forthcoming). Soft Lines. (label TBD).

  • Hough, Matthew. (2022). Solos. Original Abstractions.

  • Hough, Matthew. (2016). When Summer Ends. Original Abstractions.

  • Hough, Matthew. (2014). Music from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach. Original Abstractions.

  • Hough, Matthew. (2012). Remembered States. Original Abstractions.

  • Hough, Matthew, and In Hyun Kim. (2010). Music=quals. Carrier Records.

COLLABORATIONS:

  • Zs. (2012). Score: The Complete Sextet Works, 2002-2007. Northern Spy Records.

  • Zs. (2007). Arms. Planaria Recordings (CD) / Gilgongo (LP).

  • Brown, Earle. (2006). Folio and Four Systems. Tzadik Records.

  • Zs. (2006). Buck. Gilgongo (CD) / Folding Cassettes (cassette).

  • Seductive Sprigs. (2006). Seductive Sprigs. FNA Show Releases.

  • Zs. (2006). Four Systems. Sockets Records.

  • Zs. (2005). Magnet. Planaria Recordings.

  • Zs. (2004). Karate/Bump. Planaria Recordings.

  • Hillmer, Sam. (2001). Witches. Newsonic Records.

AS COMPOSER ONLY:

  • Payne, Rachel, and Reiko Füting. (2009). Twisted Folk. Self-released.

  • Zs. (2008). The Hard EP. Three One G.

AS PERFORMER ONLY:

  • Welch, Matthew. (2020). Three Indie Operas. Kotekan Records.

  • Pluta, Sam. (2012). Machine Language. Carrier Records.

  • Welch, Matthew. (2010). Blarvuster. Tzadik Records.

  • Hogan, Paul Damian III. (2009). The Hut. Self-released.

  • Wet Ink Ensemble. (2009). Wet Ink Ensemble. Carrier Records.

  • Lake, Owen. (2008). A Love On My Mind. Carrier/PLL.

  • Zs/Child Abuse. (2008). Zs/Child Abuse [7"]. Zum.

  • Lunsqui, Alexandre. (2008). Projecto Petrobras Cultural. Gravina Musica.

  • Various Artists. (2008). Love and Circuits: A Cardboard Records Compilation: From Aa to Zs. Cardboard Records.

  • Various Artists. (2005). Music for Plants. PerfectIfOn.

  • Zs. (2004). Zs [10"]. Ricecontrol Records.

  • Zs. (2003). Zs [EP]. Vothoc/Troubleman Unlimited.

Research

Presentations and Lectures

Hough, Matthew. (2023). “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Composition.” Vernon Salon Performance and Lecture Series. Oakland, CA (January 20).

Hough, Matthew. (2022). “Popular Music Theory: A Case Study in Pedagogy.” Pedagogy into Practice: Teaching Music Theory in the Twenty-First Century. Michigan State University: Lansing (June 4). Poster

Hough, Matthew. (2021). Lecture on my music (Herzlich and Remembered States). Musicianship I (Undergraduate Course). University of California: Berkeley (March 29).

Hough, Matthew, Jennifer Liu, and Danni Yang. (2019). “Technology for Musicianship Curriculum Enhancement.” Presidential Chair Fellows Showcase. University of California: Berkeley (December 11). Slides

Hough, Matthew. (2019). “Ear Training with Peer Performance Dictation.” College Music Society National Conference. Louisville, KY (October 25). Slides

Hough, Matthew. (2019). “Ear Training with Peer Performance Dictation.” Pedagogy into Practice: Teaching Music Theory in the Twenty-First Century. University of California: Santa Barbara (May 24). Poster

Hough, Matthew. (2018). Lecture on my music (Three Voices). Undergraduate Composers Club. University of California: Berkeley (April 20).

Hough, Matthew. (2017). “Modular Loops: Toward an Integrated Theory Pedagogy for Cycle-Based Popular Music.” Pedagogy into Practice: Teaching Music Theory in the Twenty-First Century. Lee University: Cleveland, TN (June 1). Handout

Hough, Matthew. (2016). Lecture on my music (Remembered States, Since We Don’t Understand… and When Summer Ends). Graduate Composition Colloquium. University of California: Berkeley (September 2).

Hough, Matthew. (2016). Lecture on my music (pppppppppppppppp and When Summer Ends). Vernon Salon Performance and Lecture Series. Oakland, CA (August 19).

Hough, Matthew. (2016). “Learning Oliver Mtukudzi’s ‘Tuku Music’ Through Modular Loops.” Fourth International Conference on Analytical Approaches to World Music. The New School: New York, NY (June 11). Slides

Hough, Matthew. (2016). “Practical Issues of Being a Composer.” Graduate Composition Seminar. Texas Christian University: Fort Worth, TX (March 23).

Hough, Matthew. (2016). “The Music of Anthony Braxton.” Advanced Jazz Improvisation (Undergraduate Course). University of California: Berkeley (February 2).

Hough, Matthew. (2015). Lecture on my music (Eleven Cells and Since We Don’t Understand…). Undergraduate Composers Club. University of California: Berkeley (December 3).

Hough, Matthew. (2015). “Jamaican Popular Music in the College Aural Skills Classroom.” Ann Arbor Symposium IV: Teaching and Learning Popular Music. University of Michigan: Ann Arbor (November 20). Paper Slides

Hough, Matthew. (2015). “David Abram’s The Spell of the Sensuous.” Berkeley Connect (Undergraduate Course). University of California: Berkeley (November 4).

Hough, Matthew. (2015). Lecture on my music (Eleven Cells and Since We Don’t Understand…) Mid-Missouri Composers Symposium. Osage Arts Center: Belle, MO (July 16).

Hough, Matthew. (2014). “Ear Training Wizard: An Interactive Web-Based Application for Musicianship Skills Acquisition.” Innovation Celebration Teaching Symposium. Wagner College: Staten Island, NY (October 14).

Hough, Matthew. (2014). “Arranging for the Guitar: Music from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach.” Academic and Cultural Enrichment Lecture Series. Wagner College: Staten Island, NY (April 22).

Hough, Matthew. (2014). “Elements of Stevie Nicks' Songwriting Style.” WC Forum, Women Composers Festival of Hartford. Charter Oak Cultural Center: Hartford, CT (March 8).

Hough, Matthew. (2013). Lecture on my music (Eleven Cells and Since We Don’t Understand…) Hambidge Center: Rabun Gap, GA (August 9).

Hough, Matthew. (2013). Lecture on my music (Remembered States) Atlantic Center for the Arts: New Smyrna Beach, FL (May 28).

Hough, Matthew. (2011). Lecture on my music ("You should all be shot!" and Since We Don't Understand...) Exapno New Music Community Center: Brooklyn, NY (July 16).

Publications

Hough, Matthew. (2015). “Elements of Style in Three Demo Recordings by Stevie Nicks.” Music Theory Online 21 (1).

Hough, Matthew. (2015). “Billone, Pierluigi.” Grove Music Online.

Hough, Matthew. (2015). “Ligeti, Lukas.” Grove Music Online.

Hough, Matthew. (2014). "Musicians with homonymic names." Oxford University Press Blog (August 5).

Hough, Matthew. (2011). “Vulgarity and Musical Expression.” Ear To Mind Newspaper 2: 16-17.

Hough, Matthew. (2008). “An Interview with Daniel Göritz.” Guitar Review 135: 34-36.

Hough, Matthew. (2007). “Review: Claudio Maccari and Paolo Pugliese, Mauro Guiliani: Complete Works for Guitar Duo.” Guitar Review 135: 37.

Hough, Matthew. (2007). “Writing for the Guitar: An Interview with Reiko Füting.” Guitar Review 134: 10-13.

Hough, Matthew. (2007). “Review: Riot, Tenri Cultural Institute, New York, 7/13/07.” Guitar Review 134: 33.

Hough, Matthew. (2007). “György Ligeti, 1923-2006.” Guitar Review 133: 16-17.

Hough, Matthew. (2007). “Review: Magnus Andersson, The Plucked North.” Guitar Review 133: 43.

Hough, Matthew. (2005). “Review: Dan Lippel, J. S. Bach: BWV 998, 1003, 1010.” Guitar Review 132: 38.

Hough, Matthew. (2005). “Robot-Friendly: An Interview with Composer J. Brendan Adamson.” Guitar Review 131: 12-13.

Hough, Matthew. (2005). “Review: John Williams Visits Connecticut: The Masterclass.” Guitar Review 131: 32-36.

Previous Teaching Experience

Wagner College (Staten Island, NY)

  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Music, 2013-19

Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York (Brooklyn, NY)

  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Creative & Performing Arts and Speech, 2014-15

New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development (New York, NY)

  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, 2013-15

Columbia University (New York, NY)

  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Music, 2012-14

Montclair State University, Cali School of Music (Montclair, NJ)

  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Spring 2014

Florida State College at Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL)

  • Adjunct Instructor, Fall 2013

Nyack College School of Music NYC (New York, NY)

  • Adjunct Lecturer, 2011-13

Empire State University (Saratoga Springs, NY)

  • Adjunct Lecturer, 2011-12

Manhattan School of Music (New York, NY)

  • Graduate Teaching Fellow, 2009-12
Role: 
Faculty