Dr. Matthew H. Bonsignore is currently in his 24th year of teaching in the Platte County R-3 School District. Hired in 1999 as Assistant Director of Bands, and later serving as Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Director of Bands, his job titles have evolved over the years. In 2021, he took over for his colleague and friend Dr. Jay Jones (retired) as Director of Bands for the Platte County School District. Dr. Bonsignore’s teaching duties include directing the high school Wind Ensemble, the Pit Band, co-directing the Pirate Traditions and Pride Marching Bands, team teaching the Pirate Pep Band, and serving as the brass instructor for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade bands at Platte City Middle School. During his time at Platte County, Dr. Bonsignore has helped establish a commitment to excellence throughout the band program. During his tenure, participation in the high school band program has grown from 60 members to over 185 members. Marching Bands at Platte County have won more than 20 Grand Championships, earned consistent 1st place finishes as well as received numerous caption and section awards.
The Platte County bands have been selected to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Convention three times, and countless students have earned District, State and National recognition. Under his guidance, the jazz ensemble has grown from a non-traditional setting, without full instrumentation, to an auditioned ensemble that is part of the curriculum and has accumulated consistent 1 ratings and 1st place awards at jazz festivals, placing 1st at the Festivals of Music National competition and winning 2 Grand National trophies in Florida. Working alongside his team of outstanding band directors at Platte County, the middle school band programs at both Platte City Middle School and Barry Middle School continue to grow and thrive, with over 450 6-8th grade band students. Like former Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Harpst used to say: “It’s a great day to be a Pirate!”
Dr. Bonsignore holds both a Doctor of Education and a Specialist in Administration degree from St. Louis University, a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Instrumental Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University. He has been fortunate to study conducting and trumpet under these educational giants: Alfred E. Sergel III, Colonel John Bourgeois, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, Dr. Karl Sievers, Dr. John Entzi, Dr. Keith Benjamin and Mr. Charles Boyd.
Dr. Bonsignore is currently serving as President-Elect of the Northwest District of MMEA, and has previously held the Jazz and High School Band Vice President positions in District #1. He is an active clinician and adjudicator across Missouri, and his professional affiliations include MSTA, MMEA, MOAJE, JEN, Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, and NafME.