When Matty Angus arrived at St. Michaels University School in Grade 2, he could not have known that a growing passion for music would one day shape his future. After nearly eleven years at SMUS, he is heading to the University of British Columbia to pursue a double degree in Commerce and Orchestral Instrument studies.
Joining the Honour Band in Middle School ignited a passion for music that never let go. But alongside it, a curiosity about strategy, storytelling and the business of ideas grew just as steadily. For Matty, music and business have always been two sides of the same ambition.
In his final year, he served as a Prefect and as the inaugural Chair of the MarComm Council, a role he said aligned closely with his interest in storytelling from a business perspective.
His musical journey through Senior School was relentless. He performed in the Senior Concert Band, the pit orchestra, and more than 40 concerts in his final year alone, while spending four years with the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra, where he rose to Section Head as Principal Clarinet. In 2025 he successfully auditioned for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and was accepted again for a second consecutive year in 2026, an offer he ultimately declined to focus on his dual path at UBC.
That decision says something about where his sights are set. So does this: earlier this year, Matty auditioned for the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, widely regarded as one of the most selective music conservatories in the world.
"Being ranked among the top three players who auditioned for the Curtis Institute has further strengthened my motivation and confidence," said Matty.
He arrives at UBC with plans to audition for the UBC Symphony Orchestra, compete in the annual concerto competition in November, and pursue major festival and audition deadlines through 2027. His summer will be devoted entirely to preparing the repertoire those opportunities demand.
Leadership, Learning and the Longer View
Beyond the concert hall, Matty brought the same level of commitment to his broader life at SMUS. As the inaugural Chair of the MarComm Council, he found an unexpected connection between his two worlds.
"Working with the Council gave me valuable insight into the strategy and effort behind SMUS's marketing and communications work, while also allowing me to develop leadership, collaboration, and creative skills," said Matty.
Over the years he has received more than 30 awards in music, been on the Honour Roll since Grade 9, earned the Young Exceptional Star Award in 2024 and was recognized as one of the "Top 30 Classical Musicians Under 30" in 2025 by the CBC. He is the sole SMUS nominee for the BC Excellence Scholarship Program and awaits decisions on several other scholarships including the BC Arts Council Scholarship.
What he values most, though, is harder to measure than awards or audition rankings. It is the relationships and sense of belonging that accumulated over the years at SMUS. Among the people he credits are Reverend Fletcher and Mr. Farish, whose doors were rarely closed to him.
"I know that years from now, when I look back, I will remember the countless times I reached out for access to the Chapel or music building, as well as the late-night conversations I shared with alumni," said Matty. "Moments like these reminded me that SMUS is more than a school. It is a community built on meaningful relationships and a genuine care for one another."
What Comes Next
Matty heads to UBC carrying a lesson that SMUS helped him learn gradually and then deeply.
"One of the most important lessons I will carry with me is that success can take many different forms," he said. "I learned the importance of recognizing my own strengths, investing in the activities I am passionate about, and measuring success by personal growth rather than comparison with others."
The confidence to pursue both music and business at the highest level, on his own terms, is perhaps the clearest evidence that the lesson took.
