ALUMNI FEATURE
MR. O’RANE’S OPUS By Jade Rogers ’01
M
atthew O’Rane’s ’01 passion for music started when he was just eight years old. “I was attending Burbank Elementary School in Altadena when I first had the chance to play a string instrument. It was the viola and I loved it. It became a part of me and my identity, so I decided to study music more seriously during my middle school years and beyond,” he said. During his four years at La Salle, Matthew excelled in the band program, including Jazz Band, where he played the clarinet and the baritone sax. “I studied under the late Joseph Antonisamy. Mr. Antonisamy helped my talent in music bloom. He helped me understand the satisfaction in serving others, and I appreciated that the most when he would place me in positions to lead the band. I was especially eager to take lead roles in Jazz Band and I wanted to participate in all of the musical events at La Salle. Working with Mr. Antonisamy, taking on greater responsibilities as a musician and performing in as many events as I could helped shape my decisions for the future.” After graduating from La Salle in 2001, Matthew studied Viola Performance at the University of Redlands where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2001 and a Master’s in Music Education in 2010. “The University
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of Redlands was similar to La Salle in that it was a small campus and the student to teacher ratio gave me a more personable educational environment the way La Salle did.” While working on his Master’s Degree Matthew started teaching at the University Preparatory School in Victorville, where he has become a major influence in the success and growth in the school’s music program. Currently at University Prep, he teaches and directs beginning, intermediate, and advanced ensembles; directs full orchestra and musical performances; leads the Philharmonic club; and directs the Chamber club that is designed for small chamber orchestras. “Needless to say, I enjoy my work very much. But what I love most about working at University Prep are the students. They always have energy, are very respectful, and always put their very best efforts into what they do. It’s great to teach students who want to be in class and who want to learn. Very much like La Salle,” he recalls. Matthew’s dedication and contributions to University Prep’s music program have not gone unnoticed. He was awarded the Resolution for Outstanding Achievement in Music Education for San Bernardino County, the 2006-2007 Educator of the Year award from the Victor Valley Union High School District, and was nominated for the Region 10