Matthew Cover is a music educator in the Modesto City School District in Modesto, CA. He is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at Modesto High School - a special school for him as it was also his Alma Mater, class of '87. There he directs the Concert Band and String Orchestra and has a Jazz Band, Pep Band, Parade Band, two Guitar classes and directs the Choir portion of the Performing Arts Academy (PAA), a "school within a school" at MHS. 

Mr. Cover grew up in Modesto and has degrees in Performance, Music Education, and Conducting from Modesto Junior College, California State University East Bay, and the University of Michigan. In addition to now teaching at Modesto High, and has taught at Davis High School, Hickman School Middle and Charter Schools, and the Modesto Junior College.

During the summer he is the Assistant Conductor and Manager for the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County (MoBand). He also co-directs the Gottschalk Music Center Concert Band, a group of Central Valley adult musicians, year round. For over 15 years, he was the Musical Director for Modesto Performing Arts, directing musicals such as Oklahoma!, Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, 42nd Street, The Sound of Music and many more.

When not conducting, Mr. Cover is a woodwind specialist. His primary instrument is the clarinet but is proficient in performing on all woodwinds (except the bassoon… his nemesis!). Mr. Cover even sings! He tries very hard to also fit singing with the Modesto Symphony Chorus, and for 6 years was a choir director for the First United Methodist Church in Modesto.
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Finally, as most music teachers are affiliated with various professional music organizations in an effort to stay informed with the latest trends, teaching tools and annual conferences, Mr. Cover is a member of CBDA/CASMEC, NCBA, NAfME, SCMEA, and CODA.