Matthew Tirona (b. 2005) is a composer and musician based in Boston. His compositions are textural and contemplative, taking inspiration from landscapes, seascapes, climate change, technological progress, loss, mourning, nostalgia, American popular music culture, and the color blue.
His music has been performed by ensembles such as the Mivos Quartet, Roots in the Sky, Unison Chamber Music Collective, Garden State Singers, Gonzaga University Wind Ensemble, NEC Philharmonia, and NEC Wind Ensemble, among many collaborations with his peers. His music has been featured at the Belvedere Chamber Music Festival (1st prize winner), Midwest Graduate Music Consortium New Music Concert (Call for Scores winner), Trio Tyche: NEC Honors Ensemble Recital (NEC Honors Ensemble Composition Competition winner), Rivers School Conservatory Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young (commissioned composer), and in venues such as Jordan Hall, Tufts Distler Performance Hall, Britton Recital Hall, Voxman Recital Hall, and 102 Franklin St Art Loft. Recently, Matthew was named winner of the “Voices of NEC” Choral Composition Competition, in which the NEC Chamber Singers gave the world premiere of when i am gone away. Additionally, his wind quintet Cargo was featured in the 2026 Briggs Chamber Music Competition and was a winner of the Nu Quintet 2026 Nu Works IV Call for Scores.
An accomplished choral artist, Matthew currently sings in the NEC Chamber Singers and the First Baptist Church of Boston choir. In addition to numerous 21st-century a cappella works (including multiple world premieres), he has sung the major choral works of Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Duruflé, Poulenc, and more, under conductors such as Erica Washburn, James Burton, Hugh Wolff, David Loebel, Bill Drury, Holly Druckman, and Amelia LeClair. Additionally, Matthew sang in the opera chorus of the American premiere of Sibelius’ only opera, Jungfrun i tornet, and in the New England premiere/world premiere of the new edition of Smyth’s Mass in D with Cappella Clausura. Matthew was also a vocalist in the NEC R&B Ensemble.
Matthew is pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Michael Gandolfi. As a musician of Filipino descent, Matthew hopes to be an advocate for diversity and representation in composition and classical music. Matthew is affiliated with the performance-rights organization American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
Matthew Tirona, composer 