Matt Scannell, Lead Singer of Vertical Horizon, Entertains At Severn School

Musician Performs As Part Of The Dillon Moran Musician In Residence Program

On January 10-11, Matt Scannell, the lead singer of alternative-rock band Vertical Horizon, participated as the inaugural musician in residence at Severn School. The visit culminated in a free performance by Scannell on Jan. 11 in Severn’s Price Auditorium.

The recently established Dillon Moran Musician in Residence program was created to commemorate the passion, exuberance and solid musicianship exemplified by Dillon Moran, of Severn School’s class of 2013. Dillon’s life was tragically cut short in the fall of 2011 as the result of an accident at his home in Davidsonville.

The purpose of the program is to invite outside musicians to spend a defined period of time at Severn working with students, faculty and the entire community to inspire, create and perform great music. Each visiting musician will share his/her talent with Severn students and hopefully provide a fresh approach and new ways of bringing music to life in the Severn community.

Scannell was in residence at Severn School to provide a number of lectures, workshops and master classes. Topics included working in the music industry, singing, songwriting and guitar-playing. On Friday evening, January 11, he presented a concert of his own music, including selections from a soon-to-be-released new Vertical Horizon album.

A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Matt Scannell attended high school at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. It was there he met then-music-instructor Greg Bullen, Severn School’s music director.

“Already developing as a guitarist and songwriter when I met him, Matt clearly had the talent and drive to succeed,” Bullen recalled. “Like many teenagers though, he was a bit hesitant to share his talents at first. Singing in the chorus and a cappella group helped him find the confidence he needed, and by the time senior year rolled around he was at home on the stage, fronting a truly remarkable student rock band.

“When this opportunity to remember Dillon by doing something special for Severn School music arose, I immediately thought of Matt; he may be a rock star, but he is also intelligent, enlightened and super friendly. That he cares a great deal about ideas and the human condition is apparent in the songs he writes. He has become what we at Severn see our own students becoming, no matter where their interests and abilities lead them in their lives.”

“Dillon Moran was the embodiment of a Severn student – a serious scholar, athlete and musician who truly exhibited a passion for life and the Severn community,” reflected Headmaster Doug Lagarde. “A friend to all, Dillon will be remembered for many things including his enthusiasm for music. He loved music of all kinds and this resident musician program is designed to inspire all Severn students to appreciate great music the way that Dillon did.”

Founded in 1914, Severn School is gearing up for its centennial celebration. It is the oldest independent school in Anne Arundel County, and currently enrolls 596 students in grades 6 through 12.