The St Bede's College Old Boys' Association recently held its annual dinner, and one of the highlights of the evening was the unveiling of the Cultural and Sports Award recipients for the year.

The Old Boys’ Association was thrilled to be able to recognise two outstanding candidates again this year, Matthew Everingham and David Brydon. 

We spoke to both recipients about their achievements and life after St Bede's College.

Cultural Award 2023 Recipient: Matthew Everingham (2008-2012)

Matthew is a highly accomplished music director, pianist, arranger and composer based in New York. As a composer his music has been heard across the United States and the world including London, Prague, Malta and around New Zealand. As a music director and pianist, Matthew works regularly in New York City theatre and cabaret venues and has worked in theatres across the United States. He is a proud member of the American Federation of Musician's Local 802 Union (New York City).

​Recent United States highlights for Matthew include Bring My Crown: Miss America Sings Broadway at Feinstein's/54 Below, Teaching Artist Residencies with Broadway's Roundabout Theatre Company, Hairspray, and Grease with Royal Caribbean Productions, Ain't misbehavin' and If/Then with Off-Broadway's Gallery Players, Little Shop of Horrors with Weathervane Theatre (as featured by the New York Times), The Sound of Music at Northern Stage, Next to Normal and Man of La Mancha at Tibbits Opera House (Broadway World Nominee, Best Music Direction) and appearances at Green Room 42, Triad Theatre, Don't Tell Mama and Pangea in New York City.

New Zealand highlights include Wicked, Les Misérables, Chicago, Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia! and The Vocal Collective USA tour which included Carnegie Hall.

​Matthew holds Bachelors of Music and Laws with Honors (University of Canterbury) and is an alumni of NYU’s Steinhardt Summer Film Scoring program. Matthew is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the High Court of New Zealand. 

Can you tell us a bit about what you've been doing since you left St Bede's?

Sure! After graduating from St Bede's in 2012, I stayed in Christchurch for tertiary studies at the University of Canterbury, with an eye to moving overseas after graduating. I pursued a double degree pathway, receiving Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Laws (with honors). I also pursued my freelance work as a music director, arranger, composer, and pianist during that time, becoming immersed in the music and theatre scenes in Christchurch and around New Zealand. Looking back, I worked on dozens of professional productions at The Court Theatre and the Isaac Theatre Royal alongside teaching in the music and theatre departments at the University of Canterbury and the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art at Ara Institute.

As an avid musician, I was always interested in either studying or working in New York, so applied during one of the NZ winter breaks to study at the New York University Steinhardt Summer Film Scoring program which I was accepted into in 2017. I fell in love with the city during that first visit and returned again the following year to scout venues for a tour that I was going to conduct in 2019 as I was the music director and conductor of a local choir that was invited to sing at a festival at Carnegie Hall. The tour was a great success (we also performed in Washington D.C.). At that time I only had a one year graduate visa, which at the time allowed New Zealanders who had recently graduated one year to work in the United States. I filled up the year with an exciting range of contracts with different theatres and production companies across the United States. My work as a music director and pianist in theatre took me to theatres in Nebraska, Michigan, Vermont, back to New York City and then down to Miami, Florida where I worked on the music department of the creative teams for the Royal Caribbean Productions' Broadway shows. That was where I was when the COVID-19 Global Pandemic hit, shutting down the world and in particular the theatre and music industry. I was fortunate to have just been approved for a new three-year special artist visa, which allowed me to remain in the U.S and continue working. The irony was that the live performance industry had shut down due to the pandemic, but I was able to continue working in virtual capacities in an arranging, recording and teaching role.

What is it like being a Kiwi living in New York?

I love it! The pandemic was certainly difficult due to the barriers to return to New Zealand, but my community of friends (musical and otherwise) here in NYC made it possible.

When you look back at your time at St Bede’s who or what inspired you in your initial life choices?

The small but passionate performing arts department was an inspiration. The opportunities for musical students who were eager to pursue their passion and take it on with initiative and drive were very valuable to me. Dr Rachael Hawkey was a personal mentor who I received a lot of guidance from which I am grateful for.

What were some of the different career choices you thought of when you were leaving school and who helped you make your decision at that time?

I always wanted to pursue a career in music, so that was a given for me. Honestly, the initial career advice in New Zealand generally (and at high school specifically) does not encourage the oath I took, but I love a challenge and that gave me more drive to pursue it anyway. I was also always interested in and good at the humanities so pursued a double degree in law (with honors) and music, but music was always going to win out for me…

Has your direction changed over the years since leaving school, and why?

Nope! I like the wild card of being an admitted barrister and solicitor in New Zealand, but New York City continues to give me opportunities and incredible experiences in the music industry.

When you look back has there been a defining moment in your career path?

An opportunity arose through the university to compose an original commission for the organist at Westminster Abbey (also a Cantabrian), and I was able to receive funding to go to work with the organist at Westminster Abbey in London in a memorial performance for the fourth anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakes. A huge community of kiwis and expats showed up to support, along with the media and others. It’s an experience I’ll never forget - hearing my own music played in that incredible historic place. It made me even more sure that a path in music was for me.

What words of advice would you give young students today wanting to pursue a similar career path?

Talent, perseverance and hard work will get you into the room, but your humanity and people skills will keep you there. I think this is true in whatever career you pursue, but especially if it is going to be in the performing arts. And if someone tells you that you shouldn’t be doing it, or if the world seems like it won’t let you… do it anyway.

Check out Matthew at work by viewing the clip below:

Sports Award 2023 Recipient: David Brydon (2010-2014)

David has been playing hockey since he was five years old and made his debut for the New Zealand U21 hockey team in 2016 at the Junior Oceania Cup on the Gold Coast. Later that year, he went on to represent the team at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru and the FIH Junior World Cup in Lucknow. Following his debut with the junior national team, David made his senior international debut with the New Zealand Black Sticks in late 2016 at the Trans–Tasman Trophy in Auckland. In 2017, he won his first medal with the national team at the Oceania Cup in Sydney, winning silver. David was also a member of the Black Sticks in the inaugural season of the FIH Pro League. David is NZ Olympian#1400 (Tokyo 2020, where team placed 9th) and was a member of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games Black Sticks team who placed 5th. He currently has 80 Caps for the Black sticks as a defender.

From a hockey-mad family, David has played many sports including winning many Maadi Cup rowing medals during his time at St Bede's. But hockey is his passion and from Jnr to Snr level, he’s been both a Canterbury and NZ rep. 

What does being our 2023 SBCOBA Sports Award recipient mean to you.

St Bede’s has produced many extraordinary athletes in many sports, so to be recognised and awarded the 2023 SBCOBA award is a huge honour, especially as I have been playing alongside and representing New Zealand with three other old boys (Joe Morrison, Charlie Morrison and George Baker) who have been making waves and showing me how it is done.

When you look back at your time at St Bede’s who or what inspired you in your initial life choices?

Looking back at my time at St Bede’s, there are many fond memories and experiences but there are two that stick out for me in particular that helped lead me to where I am today. My time in the rowing boat and of course my time on the turf. I always had massive passion for hockey and through my time all I could think about was being a Black Stick. When I was not on the turf and through the summers I loved my time in the rowing boat and it truly taught me to push myself and how to work harder than the guy next to me so that he would push himself harder to keep up. This is something that is so important in the team environment and something that has been so valuable in hockey today.

What key challenges have you come up against in your hockey career and how have you / do you overcome them?

I have been lucky to date with my career that I have never had to deal with any major injuries or setbacks, but some of the challenges I have faced are through non-selection to major events and also not meeting team or personal goals. There are certainly no shortcuts in international hockey - nothing is handed to you on a plate, whether it be results or selection. I have not been selected for more major events (World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Olympics) than I have been selected for and there have been many times I have wanted to give it all up. Turning up day in and day out (physically and mentally) after these setbacks has made me a more resilient player and person and if I did not do so, I would definitely not have had the opportunity to compete at these major events.

When you look back has there been a defining moment in your career path or can you share a career highlight with us?

I believe that my debut series against Australia was a defining moment. From a young age, I have not only wanted to be a Black Stick, but I have wanted to win an Olympic gold medal and this series gave me belief that not only the Blacks Sticks were capable but I was also capable to achieve this after beating Australia (world No.1 at the time) for the first time on home soil in close to 50 years. Obviously, we are yet to achieve this goal and arguably we are little far off the mark right now but I still hold this believe and this is one thing that drives me to this day.

What’s up next for you in hockey?

The next 12 months is a big one for the Black Sticks and myself with all eyes on the Paris Olympics this time next year. Unfortunately, we missed automatic qualification to the Olympics after a close series loss against Australia, which means we will have to qualify through a second chance tournament in January in Pakistan. This is no easy task as we need to take a podium spot to take our ticket to Paris.

What words of advice would you give young students today wanting to pursue high performance sport?

I am no wizard when it comes to advice, but two things spring into mind. The first, as I stated earlier, I believe just turning up physically and mentally is such a big thing. There is also almost always someone somewhere working harder and smarter than you are, so you will not achieve your goals sitting on the couch playing on your phone.

Secondly, and probably more importantly, enjoy the journey. Not everyone walks away a champion so enjoy the trials and tribulations along the way. This is a piece of advice I try to remind myself a lot. Although I have not achieved many of the goals I set myself as a young kid, I have been lucky enough to travel the world doing something that I love to.