Focusing on his work with the music of Fernande Decruck, this presentation considers the conductor’s role in sustaining and amplifying the legacies of overlooked composers, with a focus on women. Dr. Aubin will situate Decruck’s music within broader conversations about historical omission, modern rediscovery, and advocacy through thoughtful programming. Emphasis will be placed on how a multipronged approach—combining scholarship, performance, and institutional advocacy—can support lasting change in the repertoire.

Biography

Dr. Matthew Aubin is a sought-after orchestral leader known for an innovative, community-minded, and inclusive approach to musical excellence. He serves as Music Director of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and Artistic Director of The Chelsea Symphony, where he has led high-profile collaborations with artists and institutions including John Lithgow, Mozart in the Jungle, and the American Museum of Natural History, spearheaded an annual emerging composers competition, and conducted notable premieres and a Lincoln Center debut. As a guest conductor, he has appeared with orchestras across the U.S. and internationally, including upcoming performances in Brazil, and has worked extensively in film and television as a conductor and artistic consultant. At the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, he has expanded programming, audience reach, and digital and educational initiatives, including the Equal Billing Project and pandemic-era innovations. A leading scholar of French composer Fernande Decruck, Dr. Aubin has published critical editions, organized international performances, and led the first recordings of her orchestral works. He is also an active horn player, a voting member of the Recording Academy, and a dedicated educator with past appointments at Washington State University, The Hartt School, and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.