Matthew Sbalcio is the Assistant Director of Bands at New Britain High School, directing the Percussion and Advanced Percussion Ensembles, Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble.  A native of Rocky Hill, CT, he graduated with departmental honors from Connecticut College with BAs in music education and music composition. His career began as Director of Instrumental Music at Woodstock Middle School in Woodstock, CT, before accepting a position as a Graduate/Teaching Assistant in musicology and ethnomusicology at Arizona State University. There he completed his MA in musicology, as well as an MM in instrumental music education. While at ASU, Mr. Sbalcio became the Director of Bands and Orchestras at North Canyon High School in Paradise Valley, AZ. His marching bands routinely qualified for the State Marching Band Competition, where they received a Superior with Distinction rating, and all but one caption award in his fifth and final year at NCHS. He returned to CT as interim Director of Bands for Stonington High School while completing his MEd in educational leadership, followed by a Post-Graduate Certificate in principalship from Northern Arizona University. He completed a year-long administrative internship at SHS before serving as the Acting Assistant Principal for part of 2014. He returned to teaching as a band director in Chester, CT, before arriving in New Britain. Mr. Sbalcio also taught as an adjunct faculty member in Philosophy for the University of Phoenix for six years and is currently an on-call staff member of Connecticut College’s music department where he works as a brass musician, and recording engineer. He frequently guest conducts the CT College and United States Coast Guard Academy Concert and Jazz Bands as well as at Wesleyan University. He is an active brass adjudicator in CT and RI, as well as a freelance musician. While his formal training began on piano, he currently performs/subs most frequently on euphonium, trombone, tuba, trumpet, and French horn with the Farmington Valley Band, Simsbury Community Band, Northwest Connecticut Band, Waterford Community Band, Cheshire Community Band, Wooster Street Band, Wesleyan Wind Ensemble, Connecticut College and USCGA Concert & Jazz Bands, the Glenn Hansen Orchestra, the Manchester Symphony, the West Hartford Symphony, and the Torrington Symphony Orchestra.

And a special thanks to our director emeritus, Sam Hudak

Sam became associated with the Farmington Valley Band when je joined in 1962 at the age of 17(!).  Sam assumed the role as director in 1994 and held that position until his retirement after the 2025 band season.  Throughout the years, Sam shared his talents as a conductor and as a composer and arranger of music for the band to play.  Sam is a great mentor, musician and friend and will be missed by all.  Congratulations on your retirment and a big "Thank You" for your many years of dedication to the band.