Biography

Early Musical Foundations

Dr. Matt Hill’s journey into music began in childhood, shaped by a home filled with harmony. His parents and uncle often sang in harmony and played guitar together, nurturing his ear for music and vocal blend. As a young boy, he studied piano for three years and later played euphonium in his middle school band. These experiences developed his instrumental skills and musical instincts long before he stepped into a choir room. Though singing was familiar in the home, choral music was not part of his early formal training.

Formative High School Experiences

Dr. Hill was invited into the 8th-grade show choir after a teacher overheard him singing in the hallway. This unexpected invitation ignited his passion for choral music. He quickly found success and emerged as the strongest male musician in the freshman choir, earning solo opportunities and becoming a natural leader. He was promoted to the varsity choir as a sophomore, became section leader as a junior and senior, and was elected choir president in his senior year. That same year, he was named ‘Student of the Year’ by his peers and earned first chair in the Nebraska All-State Choir—an honor he achieved in both his junior and senior years.

His high school drumline experience in a nationally-competitive marching band further refined his rhythmic precision and artistic drive. Additionally, his love of theatre led to lead roles in school plays and musicals, and selection for the prestigious six-person All-State Play cast in Nebraska which was performed as the featured MainStage production at the International Thespian Society’s biennial conference.

Mentorship and the Influence of Dr. Z. Randall Stroope

A pivotal figure in Dr. Hill’s life is Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, who invited Hill into his vocal studio as a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and later became his conducting and composition mentor. Under Dr. Stroope’s guidance, Hill served as a music copyist, engraving handwritten scores for publication and gaining rare insight into professional compositional processes. These experiences formed the foundation of Hill’s skill as a composer, engraver, and educator. Dr. Stroope’s methodical approach to text selection, his emphasis on vocal tone, and his rehearsal planning deeply shaped Hill’s philosophy. Their relationship has continued for over two decades, with Stroope remaining an active mentor and champion of Hill’s work.

Professional Career and Leadership

Dr. Hill is the Founder and Artistic Director of Sing Omaha, a nonprofit community music organization that includes multiple choirs and Sing Omaha Studios which offers private music lessons, workshops, and summer camps at two locations. He also serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Creighton University, where he conducts the Creighton Chamber Choir and University Chorus and teaches music coursework. Previously, he was the Director of Choral Activities at Peru State (Nebraska), and taught at various levels in both public and private settings while also working steadily in music ministry. As a conductor, he is widely respected for his engaging rehearsal style, musical precision, and deep care for his singers.

Repertoire and Rehearsal Philosophy

Dr. Hill emphasizes stylistic nuance in repertoire selection, particularly favoring 20th and 21st century works. At Creighton, he leverages the university’s Jesuit Catholic identity to present a wide range of sacred and secular music and annually programs a major work with orchestra. For Sing Omaha, programming is influenced by the long-term participation of singers and public interest. His rehearsal philosophy is rooted in treating each choir rehearsal as a corporate voice lesson, emphasizing choral tone, textual expression, and ensemble unity through focused, joyful work.

Pedagogical and Vocal Expertise

A committed vocal pedagogue, Dr. Hill draws from the teachings of Richard Miller and Berton Coffin, using Coffin’s vowel chart and concepts from ‘The Sounds of Singing’ in both studio and choral contexts. He believes strongly that choral conductors must understand the singing voice to teach healthy, repeatable technique.

Compositional Voice and Published Works

Dr. Hill’s compositions are known for memorable melodies, accessible voice leading, and pianistic keyboard writing. He begins every piece with text—his primary inspiration—and builds from lyric and chordal sketches at the piano. His published works are available through MusicSpoke, including ‘Night,’ commissioned by the Nebraska Choral Directors Association in 2025. In 2024, he premiered a 15-minute Gloria for choir, brass, timpani, percussion, and organ. He welcomes new commissions of any duration, voicing, and instrumentation.

Industry Service

Dr. Hill currently serves on the national board of the American Choral Directors Association (2021–2027) and as Executive Director of the Nebraska Choral Directors Association. He has adjudicated and presented regionally and nationally, and actively contributes articles to ACDA’s national Choral Journal.

Honors & Awards

• Dr. Hill was honored as the Nebraska Choral Directors Association‘s commissioned composer in 2025, composing and premiering “Night” for SATB choir and piano at NCDA’s summer conference in June of that year.
• Dr. Hill was selected as an MVP “Most Valuable Professor” in his first year on faculty at Creighton University, with a ceremony held in December, 2023.
• Dr. Hill was honored to conduct the Nebraska Choral Directors Association’s All-State Mixed Choir in July, 2019.
• Peru State named Matt as the 2019 Teaching Excellence Award winner (faculty member of the year). Dr. Hill was honored to join Peru State administrators and other dignitaries in the stage party at the May 2019 Commencement ceremony where he shared a brief address with the graduating class. A video of the speech is available on his YouTube channel.
• The Nebraska Choral Directors Association honored Matt as their “Choral Conductor of the Year” for the 2018-19 academic year.
• Matt was named to the Midlands Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list of businesspeople in 2017 for his work with Sing Omaha.
• In the Fall of 2015, Matt was honored as the “Young Choral Director of the Year” by the Nebraska Choral Directors Association
• Matt was inducted into the Oklahoma State University Music Education Hall of Fame in the Fall of 2014 as its inaugural member.