LHS Music Department

Engaging the Mind - Touching the Heart - Comforting the Soul

2021-22 LHS Fine Arts Calendar
(click to download)

Music Department Handbook
Coming Soon

​“From the moment I stepped foot in the music room for the first time, I knew something bigger was going on here than just playing notes on a page. For the first time in my life, I was given the mindset of creativity, imagination, emotion, and ultimately glorifying God with the talents He has blessed me and everyone else with that I never understood as a young musician. Band class instantly became my favorite class of the day not just because of the fun times and classic jokes, but because it was 45 minutes of passion, emotion, and release from the stresses of the world around me. To be able to walk in every day and just make music in my life. It has matured me into being a better musician, student, and person, and most importantly allowed me to experience the wonder and amazement that music brings and how I can use my gifts to thank and praise God.”
 
- Jacob Muth, LHS Class of 2015
“We wanted to indicate our appreciation for the role of your high school musicians in our Lenten service last night at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, NC. Your ‘kids’ were an inspiration and their music, and its delivery, were above what we thought young people could achieve. We wish we could have listened to them forever.”

​- Gary and Ann Johnson, Cary, North Carolina 2019

Additional Information

program highlights
- Band received first place festival ratings for almost two decades.
- Chamber Choir assisted in worship at the LCMS SWD Pastors Conference
- Choir selected to be a Teen Choral Partner with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (2017 & 2021)
- Choir performed the National Anthem at the Kohl Center, Miller Park, and the Bradley Center.
- Choir received first place festival ratings for almost two decades.
- Choir selected to perform as a part of the "Concerts at the Capitol" series in Madison, WI
- Jazz Band Headlined the Sheboygan County Unity Festival
- Commissioned and World Premiered "Te Deum" by Michael John Trotta
- Commissioned "O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is: A Christmas Cantata" by David Von Kampen
music tour
2009 -New York
2011 - Texas
2013 - Upper Midwest
​2015 - Florida
2017 - Las Vegas
2019 - North Carolina
2022 - Florida
2024 - TBA
About the director
Mr. Matthew Thiel
2008 - Present
Matthew Thiel is in his 14th year serving as Music Director, conducting both the bands and the choirs at his alma mater, Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School in Sheboygan, WI. Matthew graduated from Concordia University – Wisconsin (’08) with a B.A. in music education. He later earned his M.M. in music education from Kent State University (’11). Currently, he is pursuing an EdD in leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement from Concordia University – Wisconsin.

Matthew’s performance groups have received numerous positive reviews and accolades including performing the National Anthem for the Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks, first place festival ratings for over a decade straight, as well as two invitations to perform with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as a Teen Choral
Partner (2017, 2021). The Symphonic Band recently partnered with the Wind Symphony from Concordia University Chicago to hold the first ever "Coast to Coast: Praising Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" virtual concert which was live streamed by over 5,000 people around the globe.

Recently, Matthew was recognized as the LCMS South Wisconsin District Secondary Educator of the Year (2021), a Herb Kohl Teaching Fellowship Recipient (2021), and the WCRIS Wisconsin Private Educator of the Year (2021). Matthew currently resides in his hometown of Sheboygan, WI with his wife Kali (Manning), graduate of Concordia University – Nebraska (B.A. '08) and their two children, Hannah (7) and Caleb (5).
^^^ Check Us Out On Facebook ^^^