Biography & Awards
"Stunning, stellar, and evocative... Honas is not one to repeat himself."
Lauded for his emotional sensitivity, dramatic lyricism, and seamless integration of new techniques within traditional and innovative structures, Matthew M. Honas creates original, thrilling works which challenge the performer while showcasing their virtuosity. Honas studied composition from Laura Schwendinger and Craig Weston and has received lessons from John Harbison, Melinda Wagner, Paul Chihara, and Sebastian Currier among others.
Honas’ works have been performed at the New York Flute Fair, the Madison Flute Festival, the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the Moreau Center for the Arts, and the premiere concert of the Hamel Music Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
2025
CMS South Central Conference Featured Composer
Sculptures from an Amber Plain
March 14, 2025
2023
KMTA Commissioned Composer of the Year
Sculptures from an Amber Plain
Piano Solo
2022
WiSH Award for the Premiere of a Collaborative Work
ᛞᛁᚲᛏᛖᚱᛖᚾᛊ ᛗᛃᚢᛞ [Dikterens Mjød]
Viola, Cello, Horn, Narrators
2021
Honorary Mention: UW-Madison Concerto Competition
Symphony No. 1: Wolga Sinfonie
Full Orchestra
2021
Selected for Premiere Concert at the Hamel Music Center
Contemplations et Refléxions: Une Priére
Flute Solo
2020
Mullen Prize for Sacred Music
Contemplations et Refléxions: Une Priére
Flute Solo
Music
Compositional Goals

Create New and Innovative Structures

Develop new techniques, styles, and sounds

Collaborate with ensembles and artists
Recent Performances
& Events
Upcoming and Recent Events
27,
Apr. 2025
Clash with Reality: Phantasms and Myths
Dr. Richard Silvers
Rushong Hall, Fort Lewis College
Journey into Phantasia
Violin Solo
14,
Mar. 2025
Mar. 2025
CMS South Central Conference
Jacob R. Thomas
Petree Recital Hall, Oklahoma City University
Sculptures from an Amber Plain
Piano Solo
7,
Mar. 2025
Mar. 2025
Hale Library Concert Series
Dr. Slawomir Dobrzanski and Dr. Alejandro Avila
Hale Library, Kansas State University
Schnell, Schnell
Piano Four Hands
31,
Oct. 2023
Oct. 2023
Halloween with TCCC
The Third Coast Chamber Collective
ᛞᛁᚲᛏᛖᚱᛖᚾᛊ ᛗᛃᚢᛞ [Dikterens Mjød]
Viola, Cello, Horn, Narrators
23,
Sept. 2023
Sept. 2023
KMTA Commissioned Composer
Jacob R. Thomas
White Hall, Washburn University
Sculptures from an Amber Plain
Piano Solo

Upcoming Event
Clash with Reality: Phantasms and Myths
Fort Lewis College |
Journey into Phantasia
Richard Silvers, Violin