Matthew Jackfert, Composer
On this week's Because, we hear part I of the becauses of composer Matthew Jackfert. Matthew is a native of Charleston, WV. He completed his undergraduate Composition degree at West Virginia University as well as his undergraduate Chinese degree. He also finished a Master’s in Composition at the University of Texas in Austin. Jackfert currently works in Charleston, WV as a composer and radio host with West Virginia Public Broadcasting, and he serves as adjunct Professor of Composition at Marshall University. In addition to his freelance composition work, he performs, writes, and arranges for the Appalachian-rock group,The Company Stores. Some of his TV work includes scoring shorts for HBO’s Sesame Street and more. His concert music has been performed by several top ensembles including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra among others.
Marc Zyla joined WVIK, Quad Cities NPR in May 2022 as the Director of Community Engagement. Prior to that Zyla had been the Director of Education and Community Engagement with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, where he continues to perform as Principal Horn. Zyla believes that there is something for everyone in public radio and brings passion and creativity to his position as Director of Community Engagement.