The Personnel Committee is pleased to announce the calling of Dr. Matthew Thompson as the church’s new full time Director of Music. Working collaboratively with Dr. Paul Tucker, Dr. Thompson will manage the music ministry and serve as principal organist beginning January 1.
Dr. Thompson is an accomplished organist, conductor, composer, pianist, and music technologist.
Most recently he founded and directed a non-profit semi-professional organization, Vox Humana Choral Ensemble, a women’s choir whose performances featured mainly sacred choral literature accompanied by organ. His wife, Sharee, is also a very accomplished musician and organist and they especially enjoy opportunities to collaborate either in duet keyboard performances or as conductor (Matthew) and organist (Sharee).
Matthew and Sharee met at Utah State University while completing Bachelor degrees in organ performance. They continued their organ study at the University of Kansas both studying with Dr. James Higdon. Matthew earned a Master of Music degree in church music, organ emphasis, while Sharee earned a Master of Music degree in organ performance. Matthew also earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting while at KU and had the privilege of studying with Dr. Paul Tucker.
As a choral conductor, he has worked with mixed, men, women, early music, and jazz ensembles from small chamber groups to large choruses consisting of over 300 singers. As a church musician, he has been both a music director, choir director, organist, and accompanist. He loves a variety of musical styles and while at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS created a new Jazz Eucharist service led by a jazz combo.
Matthew’s passion for music includes English choral and organ literature, jazz piano, and combining music with technology. Outside of music he is extremely interested in psychology and human development, meditation, and loves spending time with family especially out in nature.
Matthew and Sharee are parents of three talented and opinionated children, Clara age 12, Andrew age 10 and David age 1. Dr. Thompson is leaving employment as a software engineer and is excited to make a return to music full-time.
Dr. Thompson is looking forward to sharing his vision and passion for music and worship with the members of Country Club Christian Church. He is also looking forward to collaborating with other musicians (especially Dr. Tucker) including music staff, choir, and participating church members along with Carla Aday and Mike Graves to engage the congregation in meaningful and inspiring worship.
His goals include continuing to support both traditional and creative approaches to music and worship which harmonize and support a progressive message, expanding cultural/performing arts initiatives hosted by Country Club Christian Church that will result in further outreach and connection with the larger community, and developing a clear vision for music and worship throughout all aspects of the ministry that builds on the legacy of the past while laying a foundation capable of taking Country Club Christian Church into another 100 years plus of heartfelt and inspiring worship experiences.
“I am really excited to be a part of a welcoming, inclusive, supportive, and loving community that highly values music and worship and am grateful to answer the call to serve in this capacity as a music minister,” said Dr. Thompson.
