A Music Lover’s Legacy: Matt Herzberger

Born in Central Illinois in 1959, Matt Herzberger was the youngest of five children. Matt’s late father was the first in his family to attend college and his late mother, a former teacher, received her lifetime teaching certificate just before the Second World War. 

Though Matt grew up in a farming community, his passions were athletics and music. Matt attributes his deep love of music to Gary White, his high school band director, a small-town educator with a music and psychology degree from Colombia University. Mr. White offered concert, marching, jazz, pep, and show bands, and individualized music appreciation classes. “Yum, yum,” said the music-hungry Matt. 

During his teen years, Matt played bass guitar in a “garage band.” He says, “We thought we were professionals; we were paid $20 per show.” 

He taught upper-elementary students in Arizona, California, and, for 20 years, in Jefferson County, Colorado. He spent the last 12 years at Edgewater Elementary. Matt nearly always had music in the classroom (usually jazz) and even musical theater, believing music is vital to child development, “right up there with food and oxygen.”

Matt became an avid KUVO listener, then a member in the late 1990s. After retiring in 2012, Matt started to connect with KUVO as a volunteer working with Volunteer Coordinator, Arvida Rascón.

Over the years, Matt discovered meaningful ways to support KUVO through his philanthropy.  

In 2017, with a promise to Tina Cartagena, Matt enhanced his support of KUVO with gifts of $4,965 that would be used as an on-air challenge during KUVO pledge drives. He chose this special gift amount to honor his late parents who left an inheritance. His parents were married in 1949 for 65 years.  

Matt’s passion for KUVO grew throughout the years and in 2021, Matt’s generosity launched the Carlos Lando Musician and Event Fund to support local artists performing at the Buell Public Media Center. In addition to supporting local artists, Matt funded the KUVO Jazz-mobiles, making a gift to truly share jazz music throughout the state. Matt has played a critical role in KUVO’s reach, making jazz available to all. “Music needs to get into the ears of everybody, I like that KUVO is public radio.”

In 2022 Matt informed KUVO that he made the organization the sole beneficiary of his estate. “I want to leave the planet better than when I got here by pushing good music to others. KUVO does that so well.” 

Though Matt has made incredible financial contributions to KUVO, his volunteer work with the station speaks to his commitment to spreading culture, community, and music.

Rocky Mountain Public Media and KUVO Jazz is honored to have such a strong partnership with Matt who continues to actively volunteer his time, generously give his financial support, and provide a legacy through donating his estate to ensure the KUVO Jazz inspires and reaches generations to come. 

If you are interested in sharing your story or learning more about supporting KUVO Jazz and Rocky Mountain Public Media, please contact us at philanthropy@kuvo.org.  

Stay connected to KUVO’s programs and our community! Sign up for the Oasis E-News today!