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After graduating from Indiana University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, Matt Harloff (Avon, IN) served for many years as Assistant Band Director for the Avon Band Department in Avon, Indiana. In 2023, he was appointed as Director of Bands. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Indianapolis in 2001.
Harloff serves as co-conductor for all five concert bands at Avon High School. The Avon High School Wind Symphony has had the privilege of performing at the Indiana State Concert Band Championships and was awarded as the Indiana State School Music Association Concert Band State Champions three times. Harloff led the Avon H.S. Brass Choir as a performing ensemble at The 2015 Midwest Clinic. He is the director of Avon H.S. Indoor Winds, who have been awarded eight IPA State Championships and six WGI Scholastic World Class Championships. Harloff is proud to serve with a team of directors for The Avon Marching Black & Gold, which has won multiple state championships, has been a consistent Bands of America Grand National Finalist and finished in the top three the last 18 consecutive years, and has won the Bands of America Grand National Championship six times. The marching band also performed in the 123rd Tournament of Roses parade in 2012, as well as the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024.
In 2003, Harloff joined the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps as the Brass Caption Head. Harloff, with the support of management, a committed staff, and talented members, has built CrownBRASS 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 eight times. 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. Harloff was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2025. Harloff was a performing member of the DCI World Champion Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps from 1989 to 1995, serving as the drum major in 1993.
Harloff, along with longtime friend and DCI Hall of Fame member Michael Klesch created Inside the Circle, LLC. Inside the Circle is committed to giving back to countless music educators and their students with helpful materials, music, arrangements, and much more. Matt and his brother Ben are co-authors of three books from their Inside the Circle series: Inside the Circle: A Proven Method for a Successful Marching Band, Inside the Circle: Off-Season Training, and Inside the Circle: Skill Sets for the Marching Band.
Harloff is proud to be a Yamaha Performing Artist and has performed with world-renowned artists such as Travis Scott and Voctave.
Harloff is a native of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and is 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 is married to his wonderful wife, Susie, with whom he shares enormous pride in their two children, Tyson and Shaelyn.