Meet the Faculty: Jeremy Mathison

Experienced musician, teacher, and newlywed Jeremy Mathison is about to complete his first year at Brewster. What better time to check in with our Director of Music and learn a little more about him? 

Q. You came to Brewster in the fall after serving as Music Director at The Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Massachusetts and the Perkiomen School in Pennsylvania, where you were known for leading award-winning ensembles and developing innovative music curricula. What have you observed about the culture or vibe here? What is your impression of the students in general compared to other places you have taught?

A. I love the culture and the vibe at Brewster. Students are dedicated to working hard and achieving success. They are polite and respectful and have been extremely welcoming.

Q. Can you tell our readers more about your own performance career?

A. I've been performing since middle school. In my early 20s I was in an original country band and we toured Nashville for a few weeks in the Summer of 2022. I play guitar and sing in bands, but have also played keyboard, bass, and drums professionally. Currently you can see my cover band Quint E. Sential in the Concord and Southern N.H. area.

Q. We know that you hold your M.Ed in Music from Plymouth State University, where you specialized in curriculum design, instrumental performance, and music technology. But will you tell us more about where you grew up, and who your favorite performing artists were as a child?

A. I’m from New Hampshire, and am happy to be back in my home state after teaching in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. I was a metal head kid until I discovered jazz! Then I got into Phish big time—I’ve seen them more than 50 times. My musical influences are Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, CC Deville, and The Beatles, to name a few.

Q. So if I ask you about the best concert of your life so far, can I assume…

A. Phish at the Clifford Ball 1996. Best weekend of my life!

Q. How do people who know you well usually describe you?

A. Passionate, hard-working, energetic.

Q. What’s the most important life advice you’ve received—what advice do you wish all your students would adopt into their thinking or put into action in their lives?  

A. Fear is failure.

Q. Ah, that blends so well with Brewster’s word of the year, COURAGE. It takes courage to be on stage, and you’ve been involved in hundreds, if not thousands, of performances. Have any favorite memories from the stage?

A. Every performance has its ups and downs. I never laughed so hard as when we were putting the hotel room door scene in “Lucky Stiff,” a musical comedy based on the novel The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo.

Q. What areas of the Brewster music program are you most excited about expanding? What do you envision for music at Brewster in the future?

A. More performances! And choir. I envision a program that blends traditional ensembles and choir with modern contemporary music as well as digital recording and production.

Q. What do you like to do in your free time?

A. Being active, hiking, concerts, hanging out with Charlie the labradoodle, and reading.

Q. What’s on your reading list these days? Any favorite authors?

A. Anything fantasy. My favorite authors are Patrick Rothfuss and Terry Goodkind.

Q. Sorry to bury the lead, but you’re engaged to be married, correct?

A. Yes, but actually, Nicki and I got married in March privately. We are having a ceremony in July here on campus for family and friends—including our combined three daughters, Lydia, Lily, and Penny!

Q. Congratulations! Double the joy! Let’s end with a silly question: What is your go-to pizza order?

A. Pepperoni/mushroom, and it has to be New England style!