By Darcy Hickey
A&E Assistant
Matt Duffy Chidley, fondly referred to as Duffy around campus, is known for many things at Pepperdine.
One of them is his love for music.
Chidley joined choir for the first time as a freshman in 2000. One afternoon a man in front of him in the cafeteria check-out line sparked the idea.
“The man began singing a song called, ‘Goodnight Irene,’ and because I love the piece, I began singing loudly along with him,” Chidley said.
The man was Pepperdine music professor, Dr. Henry Price. Price told Chidley that he should consider joining choir. Chidley found out about the audition times and started his journey toward becoming a practicing vocalist.
“I auditioned and was surprisingly accepted into the Concert Choir,” Chidley said. “That was the beginning of my appreciation for vocal music. I have been in choir ever since I first tried out that year.”
Unlike many singers, music has not always been Chidley’s focus. The only formal instruction he had was piano lessons at age 8.
“I decided to quit the piano when I got booed off the stage by my own family at age 10 during Christmas dinner,” Chidley said.
Knowing that Chidley still had a great love for music, his grandmother asked him if he was interested in playing guitar. Because this was an instrument that could be played without annoying his family, Chidley gladly accepted the gift.
Chidley sat in his room night after night teaching himself the guitar, and when he became comfortable with the instrument, he began to write songs.
“I remember the first tune I wrote,” Chidley said. “It was to the words of an old joke: ‘Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?’ That was the most redundant and annoying song one could ever hear.”
Chidley’s love for musical instruments does not stop with the guitar. He has performed at several Coffeehouses singing creative songs while playing his Singaporean Ukulele, which he purchased in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.
Other instruments he owns include a siku, comparable to a pan flute; a saxo andino, a wooden saxophone fingered like a tin whistle; an Ocarina, type of flute; a bag pipe canter, used to practice fingering for an actual bag pipe; and a 25-cent nose flute, which can be found at any toy store — all from different Latin American countries.
During his time in Argentina last year, Chidley found that he enjoyed watching Spanish lounge singers.
“In Spanish speaking countries, it is acceptable to be a little cheesy — especially for lounge singers,” Chidley said. “That is what most interests me.”
Chidley did not only come away from his experience abroad with that goal in mind, but also with a greater appreciation for the artistry of “mastering” an instrument.
“It is great having many different instruments from many different places,” Chidley said. “My regret is experimenting so much that I never became astoundingly good at any individual one. That is what I get for being impatient.”
Chidley has a great respect for former Dire Straits front man, Mark Knopfler, who, when performing in clubs or restaurants, would ask the sound people to turn down his guitar volume so that it would not interfere with the patrons’ conversations.
“I find that Knopfler’s attitude is respectable and admirable,” Chidley said. “There is no shame in being the background noise.”
Chidley also admires his choir director, Milton Pullen.
“He doesn’t just teach notes and unconsciously wave his hands,” Chidley said. “He forces us to think about every aspect of the piece down to the dynamics, tone and color of each word.”
Chidley is excited about the upcoming “Masterworks Concert” that will premier a piece composed by Pepperdine’s own N. Lincoln Hanks, entitled, “Lamenta.” Other features will include Braham’s “German Requiem” and the Pepperdine University Orchestra.
“This concert will be the chance to see a talented collection of voices, led by a pair of brilliant artists, perform some fascinating and immortal pieces. It’ll be culture at its finest.” Chidley said. “You can bet I’ll be there!”
Personal
Name: Matthew Duffy Chidley, Jr.
Class: Junior
Major: International studies
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
One thing to do before he dies:
“I would write, produce, direct and star in a movie version of my rock opera,” Chidley said. Blah!
Strangest food he has ever eaten:
“I ate something like Rocky Mountain Oysters in Brazil,” Chidley said. “They were all rubbery and chewy.”
Animal he respects the most:
“Elephants, because they are big and have no natural predators.”
Sweet smell:
Napalm in the morning.
Strangest habit:
Chidley always sets the phone beside the receiver, never on it.
Favorite part of his apartment:
“My bed: there I get the gift of sleep.”
Happiest memory:
When his sister Phoebe was born.
Something he’s in awe of:
“Waterfalls at Iguazu,” Chidley said. “They are an undeniable testament to God’s skill as an artist.”
Favorite quote:
“Drop the debt,” referring to the third world debt crisis.
Favorite body part:
The small of a woman’s back.
He would spend a day as:
Bono from U2.
Next choir performance:
April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Smothers Theatre. For ticket information, call 310-506-4522.
February 13, 2003