Matt Harloff
Matt Harloff (Avon, IN) concluded a remarkable 30-year career as one of the band directors at Avon High School. During his tenure, the Avon Band Program earned numerous state, national, and world honors. The Wind Symphony was named Indiana State School Music Association Concert Band State Champion three times, and the Avon H.S. Brass Choir was featured at The 2015 Midwest Clinic.
Harloff had the honor of serving alongside a team of directors for The Avon Marching Black & Gold, which won 18 state titles and six Bands of America Grand National Championships. Between 2007 and 2025, the Avon Marching Band maintained an extraordinary 18-year streak of top-three finishes at the Bands of America Grand National Championships. The ensemble also appeared in the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade and the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and received the John Philip Sousa Sudler Shield in 2007. As director of Avon Indoor Winds, Harloff led the group to nine IPA State Championships and seven WGI Scholastic World Class Championships.
In 2003, Harloff became Brass Caption Head for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, helping build CrownBRASS into one of the nation’s elite programs. The brass section has earned eight Jim Ott Memorial Awards. Carolina Crown is a consistent Drum Corps International World Class Finalist and celebrated their first ever DCI World Class World Championship in 2013. Harloff was inducted into the Carolina Crown Hall of Fame in 2017, the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in 2025, and The Buglers Hall of Fame in 2026. He previously performed with the Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps (1989-1995), serving as drum major in 1993.
Harloff is proud to be a Yamaha Artist and has performed with world-renowned artists including Travis Scott, Voctave, and The Liberty Voices.
Harloff and his beautiful wife Susie continue to serve the pageantry arts together, and they share enormous pride in their two children, Tyson and Shaelyn.