UF graduate already at the helm of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra

December 14, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Matt Wardell has always been intrigued by music, but he never thought his decision to join the band as a percussionist in sixth-grade would prove to be an important part in his adult career path.

On Friday, the 26-year-old self-described music lover will graduate from the University of Florida’s College of Fine Arts with a master’s degree in orchestral conducting. Although he considers it a bittersweet moment, he looks forward to continuing full-time in his role as the music director and conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, where he began to work last summer.

Wardell is among 1,514 students expected to receive advanced degrees from UF on Friday. A total of 2,307 undergraduates have applied for degrees to be received in two ceremonies on Saturday.

“The initial reaction is ‘I won’t come to UF every day, and I won’t come into the office every day,’ and it was tough,” he said. “I think getting the job in Ocala helped me because once I graduate I’ll be ready to take on more opportunities.”

After high school, Wardell played with a blues band for a year and had a day job working with computers, but he felt a void.

“I was making decent money and having fun at night, too, but something wasn’t settling,” he said. “I knew I wanted to go to school and study this because I needed to feel fulfilled.”

Wardell, a Jacksonville native, said his decision to attend UF was sparked by a desire to work with his mentor Raymond Chobaz.

“He’s the most unselfish person because most conductors don’t want to let go of their orchestra, but he has always given me opportunities to learn.”

Wardell has been able to conduct three full concerts since he’s been at UF.

“I’ve been really lucky to have this early experience,” he said. “It helped me get a short leg up, and I think that’s what led to the job in Ocala.”

In addition to setting a goal to keep the arts prevalent and growing in popularity, Wardell is happy to be living out his dream to be a conductor before he finishes his graduate work.

“For me being as young as I am, it’s great,” he said. “I’m not a conductor because I want to be rich. You do it because you believe that the arts are important and classical music, in particular, represents something greater than us that ends up showing in other facets of life.”

Wardell will receive his degree at 4 p.m. Friday in the O’Connell Center where a ceremony for advanced degrees from all colleges will be held.

Two undergraduate degree ceremonies, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, will also take place at the O’Connell Center. The ceremony for the College of Pharmacy will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the HPNP Auditorium.

Based on regalia orders as of Thursday, 2,447 graduates will participate in the ceremonies.

Eric Boulware, Jordan Johnson, Stacey Nelson and Timothy Tebow will be recognized as outstanding student leaders.

Adam D’Augelli and Kaitlyn Weller will be recognized as outstanding four-year scholars while Lia-Lucine Cary, Keith Northover and Henrique Romero will be recognized as outstanding two-year scholars.

Distinguished alumni to be recognized are Dale Kaplan-Stein (veterinary medicine), Anita Zucker (education) and Thomas Shannon (business administration).

Fuller Bazer will receive an honorary degree.

For more information visit http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/commencement, or contact Donna Stricker at 352-392-1311 or donnas@ufl.edu.