Matthew Yee, a senior at Valparaiso University, was offered a position with the U.S. Air Force Regional Band.

Yee is also a finalist to earn a position with the U.S. Coast Guard Band.

“To win a military band position in the Air Force in the semester before earning his undergraduate degree is extremely rare,” said Stacy Maugans, associate professor of music, in a press release. “The fact that he is one of two finalists for the Coast Guard position, while the Air Force awaits his decision, is incredible, though certainly well-deserved.”

Yee is a dual degree student in civil engineering and music. He is the child of two music educators and has played the euphonium since fifth grade. Yee first visited Valparaiso University as a high school student for Lutheran Summer Music in 2017 and 2018. As a student at the university, he has been a member of the concert band, orchestra and jazz band.

“I had to choose what to do after Valpo: euphonium, trombone or engineering,” Yee said. “Music was an easy choice. But when I decided on euphonium, I knew it was time to start looking at these military band auditions.”

Yee sent recorded auditions to both bands and submitted his resume. He will perform with the Coast Guard Band later in February. If offered a position, Yee will enlist in the service before joining the band.

Valparaiso University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The music department offers degree options in which students can focus on music performance, education, therapy, composition and church music. Students can participate in various campus ensembles and have the opportunity to study music abroad.