Matt Harloff

Matt Harloff was announced as Avon’s new Director of Bands in 2023 after 27 years as an associate director at Avon. He graduated from Indiana University in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Indianapolis in 2001.

Matt previously served as assistant director for all five concert bands at the Avon High School. Avon Concert Bands consistently received superior ratings at the Indiana State School Music Association Organizational Contests. The Avon High School Wind Symphony has had the honor of performing at the Indiana State Concert Band Championships and was awarded the Indiana State School Music Association Concert Band State Champion in 2012 and 2014. In January of 2008 the Avon Wind Symphony performed at the Indiana Music Educators Association conference. Mr. Harloff is the director of the Avon Brass Choir and also led the Avon Trumpet Choir in a performance at the 2012 IMEA Conference. Mr. Harloff was the assistant director to The Avon Marching Black & Gold where the group won 15 state championships. The Avon Marching Black & Gold is a consistent Grand National Finalist and Grand National Champion in 2008, 2009, 2010.

In 2003, Matt joined Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps as the Brass Caption Head. Matt, with the support of management, a committed staff and talented members, has built the Crown Brass to be one of the elite programs in the country. The Carolina Crown Brass Section has won the Jim Ott Memorial Award for Excellence in Brass 4 out of the last 5 years (2009, 2011-2013) Carolina Crown is a consistent Drum Corps International World Class Finalist and celebrated their first ever DCI World Class World Championship in the summer of 2013. Matt spent 3 years as brass instructor for the ten-time DCI World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 1998, 1999, & 2002. Matt was a performing member of the DCI World Champion Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps from 1989-1995. Matt served as the drum major in 1993.

Matt & Ben Harloff have joined DCI Hall of Fame Member Michael Klesch to create H2Ksound. H2Ksound is committed to giving back to countless music educators and their students with helpful materials, music, arrangements, and much, much more. Matt & Ben are coauthors of 2 books from their “Inside the Circle” Series: Inside the Circle: A Proven Method for a Successful Marching Band and Inside the Circle: Off-Season Training. Both books have been overwhelmingly successful and have helped countless directors and students.

Matt Harloff is proud to be a Yamaha Performing Artist.

Matt is a native of Mt. Pleasant Iowa, and very proud of his musical family. His father, Bill is a retired band director and his brother Ben is a band director in Minnesota. Matt’s most important job is helping raise his two beautiful children, Tyson and Shaelyn. Matt is married to his wonderful wife Susie, who shares his passion for the happiest place on earth: Walt Disney World.