Matthew Tozer currently resides in London, Ontario where he works as a freelance composer, sessional instructor, and operates a private studio. He holds a PhD in Music Composition from the University of Western Ontario. His dissertation involved the hybridization of the traditional baroque dance movements with the classical concerto featuring the Viola da Gamba in combination with the string orchestra.
Matthew Tozer’s music has been described as highly lyrical, and rich in pan-diatonic & modal harmony. His musical interest is focused on the ideas of temporal stasis and timbre morphing. Recent works include Terminal for Soprano, Piano and Horn and Articu-tack for solo flute. He is currently at work on three new pieces, a commissioned work for solo mallet percussion, a short opera for Vocalypse Productions, and a work for string quartet. Past premieres and performances include Athena and Zeus, for cello, piano and tenor, Moods for bass clarinet and flute, his string quartet Affinity and a choral work Syllabical.
Matthew is actively involved in the creation of new work through the collaborative process. His compositions have been work-shopped and/or performed by organizations and groups such as: The Erato Ensemble, The Atlas Ensemble, Charlotte New Music Festival, The International Low Brass Trio, The Strathcona Quartet, The Vancouver Chamber Choir, The Aventa Ensemble, The Vancouver International Song Institute, Soundstreams Canada, The Canadian Contemporary Music Workshop, The Madawaksa String Quartet, the National Arts Centre Summer Music Institute, and other various ensembles.