“Passion, to me, is what makes us alive as people.  It is what drives the very existence of people as a human race.  What art form could be more fitting, then, than music, to share my passion with the rest of the world?”

Matthew Hooper graduated from Lebanon Valley College in May of 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Currently, Matthew serves as Director of Bands at John Dickinson High School in Wilmington, DE where program offerings include marching, concert, and jazz band. In 2006, the same year competition was re-introduced to Dickinson HS, his Marching Rams were ranked best Group I band in the State of Delaware in TOB Group I Competition.

Born and raised in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Matthew showed passion for music at an early age. Beginning studies on trumpet at age 8 in the public school system, he enjoyed playing and singing.  Throughout Middle and High School, Matthew continued to develop his musical abilities.  Serving as Drum Major for the Camp Hill Marching Lions, he was introduced to his first conducting experience, which was not limited to only field conducting; he also was the director of the school’s Holiday Cheer Ensemble and the Basketball Pep Band.  Participating in various choral and instrumental festivals helped Matthew to broaden his musical horizons in high school.  After graduation from Camp Hill High School in 2002, Matthew chose to attend Lebanon Valley College, a prestigious Liberal Arts School in Annville, Pennsylvania.

A 2003 member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Matthew is a strong supporter and believer in the Drum Corps and marching band activity.  He continues his association with marching band by serving as a Marching and Maneuvering Technician at his high school alma mater.  Having served as Field Conductor at the LVC Pride of the Valley Marching Band in 2003, Matthew feels indebted to the marching activity.  Helping to form the Camp Hill High School indoor guard program, he worked with the program in roles as drill tech and drill writer. As an active member of the Crossmen Alumni Association, Matthew continues his relationship with the Crossmen.

As Matthew continued his studies at Lebanon Valley, he realized that one of his passions was for teaching.  Another passion, conducting.  Attending the 2004 and 2005 International Conducting Workshops and Festivals (ICWF) in Sofia, Bulgaria, helped him develop his skills in conducting beyond that of a traditional Music Education Major.  His conducting teachers have included Rossen Milanov (Philadelphia Orchestra); Carl St. Clair (Pacific Symphony Orchestra); and Benjamin Loeb (Haddonfield Symphony Orchestra; artistic director, ICWF).

Matthew was fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct in concerts with the Lebanon Valley College Orchestra (March, 2005) and the New Symphony Orchestra in Sofia, Bulgaria (June, 2005).  In June of 2006, he returned from a successful European tour to Salzburg, Gratz, Vienna, and Prague, having lead the orchestra in the world premiere of a work by LVC student Greg Strohman and performing at venues such as the Orangerie and Schoenbrun Palace in Austria and Dvorjak Hall in the Ruldolfinum in Prague, Czech Republic.

No stranger to the theatre, Matthew also served as the Assistant Music Director for the Lebanon Valley College Wig and Buckle Society production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood.  In this capacity, he served as assistant conductor, as well as vocal coach and musical advisor to the cast and staff of Drood.  Having been involved in numerous musicals and plays through high school both on and off stage, Matthew makes himself available for musical theatre and vocal-coach consulting.

Mr. Hooper’s far-ranging interests, however, do not limit him to music. Matthew has been employed as the Entertainment Director / Head Barista of the Crimson Frog Coffeehouse in Camp Hill, PA. Currently serving as Chief Consultant to the Crimson Frog staff, he takes an interest in the production of the best possible espresso and coffee-based beverages in the Central Pennsylvania area.

He also enjoys reading and writing poetry, cooking, and seeking out new passions in life.