Mathew has been playing the trumpet since the age of eight and took a Masters Degree in music from the Royal Scottish Academy. While a student, he won the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra scholarship and the Governor's Prize for Chamber Music. He also went on to win the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Apprenticeship Scheme and played the Aratiunian Trumpet Concerto with the RSNO.

Mathew has always complimented his trumpet  playing with a prestigious Brass Band career: He started originally with the non- competing Castleton Silver Prize Band and quickly developed under the teaching of Murray Slater, going on to play with the second section Matlock Band at the height of their success; including the "famous" win over Stocksbridge (Andrews Heat for Hire at the time) in the final of Bold as Brass at The Crucible.

At the age of 15, Mathew joined the Championship Section ranks at Blidworth Colliery Band as 2nd man down to Martin Battersby. He later took over the Principal Chair. Mathew's next move begun a long association with Stocksbridge when he joined the City of Sheffield Band under the baton of David Hirst.

After a break from music to complete a BA Honours Degree in Fine Art at Loughborough University, he was invited by David Hirst to play for the world famous IMI Yorkshire Imperial Band. He quickly moved from 4th to 2nd man down under Alan Exley, and competed in many prestigious events, including the British Open on several occasions under the baton of David Hirst and Major Peter Parkes, also playing on several recordings.

Whilst at the Royal Academy, Mathew was Assistant Principal Cornet to Roger Webster at the CWS Glasgow Band winning the Scottish National Title three times, Runners up at the European Championship, and National Champions 1996 under Howard Snell. Mathew also played Guest Principal Cornet for the Bo'ness and Carriden band and the Kelty Band (both Championship section), winning Best Cornet prize at the Carnegie Contest, and playing Principal Cornet at the National Championships at the Albert Hall with Bo'ness.

Mathew rejoined Stocksbridge Band as Principal Cornet after moving back to Sheffield several years ago and played with the band on its Yorkshire Area First Section Wins, National Finals First Section Victory, and Championship Section Yorkshire Area runners up.

He currently works as a brass teacher with the Sheffield Music Service and continues as a freelance trumpet player.