reviews

and awards

Awards

Winner - Fidelio international composition competition - 2024/25 guitar category, ‘For my mother’

Finalist - Fidelio international composition competition - 2025 - piano category, ‘John Kramer’s Game’

Fellowship - The Royal Society of Arts - 2021, awarded in recognition for work in performance and composition

Reviews/quotes

“Four stars. A most imaginative release, and a poignant reaction to past and continuing world events”

Colin Clark, Fanfare Magazine (USA) - 2021

“A gifted and imaginative composer.”

Maria Marchant, 7 Notes in 7 Days, BBC Radio 3 (UK) - 2020

“So lovely!”

Mayim Bialik, ‘Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown’, Substack (USA) - 2026

“Strong melodies. An excellent composer”

Eric Strangeland, Mixtapes Podcast (USA) - 2022

“...dynamic and exhilarating... a magical soundscape...”

Nicole Rodgers, Classical Guitar n Stuff (AUS) - 2014

“America by Matthew Sear, created the bustling New York Metropolis with hints of Bluegrass. Exhilarating.

Melinda Hughes, Adealide Fringe Festival - www.Broadwaybaby.com (UK) - 2014

“A young virtuoso whose playing was like a colourful waterfall.” 
Domenec Fuster Such - The Costa Blanca News (Spain) - 2012

“Sear has the measure of the music. A fine guitarist and composer”
Fanfare Magazine (USA) - 2014

"...A phenomenal guitarist...exquisite."

Phil Hogg - SW1 Radio (UK) - 2009

“Fantastic live music.”

Jonathan Witchell, BBC Drivetime (Kent, UK) - 2006

Notable musicians

"...A great guitar player..."

Antonio Forcione - 2008

“...a multi talented musician you simply must here...” 
Professor Carlos Bonell - The Royal College Of Music (UK) - 2013

“A great guitarist, a classical musician with a contemporary outlook”

Lulo Reinhardt (from the famous Reinhard family of Django) 2008