For more than a decade, Matt Drees has directed successful musical productions at Fort Dodge Senior High School, including this year’s production of “Anastasia.” But his involvement in the performing arts at the high school goes well beyond just the spring performances.

Drees has been a member of the music faculty at the high school for 14 years. He’s been the vocal/executive director of the spring musical for the past 11 years.

This year’s production included a large ensemble cast, something Drees was hoping to offer to get more students involved.

“Seeing the students build a connection to the group and watching them be proud of the product they have created, for me, is the most rewarding part of my job,” said Drees. “Hearing them make comments about how well their performance went, how much fun they had, or hearing them singing their music outside of class or the musical is my favorite part.”

The musical performances by the high school haven’t just been impressive on stage. They’ve garnered several awards.

Drees said each of the past four musicals produced at Senior High has been awarded Most Outstanding Musical Production by the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards.

“The number of schools receiving this award for their production has varied from between 15 to 18, but this award essentially means that our production overall has been listed as those amongst the top 15 or so high school musical productions in the state for the entire school year. This is a huge honor for our program,” he said.

Additionally, A Cappella Choir, conducted by Drees, has received a Division 1 (Superior) rating, each of the past 12 years that he has been the conductor (excluding 2020 when the festival was not held.)

“Having a panel of objective judges recognize the excellence demonstrated by our choral ensembles is something that means a lot to me, and is something that I am extremely proud of,” he said.

In 2018, A Cappella was awarded a Gold rating at the WorldStrides Heritage Music Festival held in Chicago. A Cappella has also been named Grand Champion of the Onalaska Concert Choir Competition three times during his tenure at FDSH (2013, 2018, 2023).

Senior High also has had a large number (121) of students selected as a member of the Iowa All-State Chorus during his tenure at FDSH.

“These students represent about the top 2 percent of high school music students in the state, and it is always such a meaningful experience to see them all the way through their experience of preparing the music, performing the audition, being selected as a member of the ensemble, and participating in the festival with other students from around the state,” Drees added.

He said that students being involved in so many activities offers the musical production a unique challenge.

“One of the largest challenges that we face regarding students participating in the musical is just managing their schedule with other activities. We have many students who are also involved in a spring sport,” he said. “Obviously, encouraging students to be involved in many different areas is always our message, but it creates some challenges once we are trying to put the entire show together. We do our best to plan for tech and dress rehearsals knowing who might be missing for a meet or game on that day.

“Additionally, outside of the musical, our students are also preparing music for our spring concert and the IHSMA Large Group Music Festival in the spring,” he added. “Typically, once our musical closes we have less than a week before those other public performances.”

Drees grew up in Iowa City and was very involved in music, including choir, band, chamber choir, musicals, and All-State. When choosing to pursue a degree in college, it was clear that music was his passion, he said.

“Not only did I have the skills/ability, but it just seemed to come a little bit easier for me than others. I realized that music really was my passion/calling, and with the gentle push and guidance of my high school choral director, I decided to pursue a degree in music education,” he said.

After high school, Drees attended Luther College in Decorah, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in vocal music education.

“At Luther, I was fortunate enough to be a member of the Nordic Choir for three full school years. This experience allowed me to tour both domestically and internationally with a world-renowned level choral ensemble. These experiences helped me truly understand just how meaningful and formative participation in a music ensemble can be,” he said. “The combination of my own experiences singing in choir and my course work instilled in me a passion for facilitating those same experiences and feeling of connection with future students.”

Drees also has big dreams for the musical department.

“Our musical productions, individual students, and choral excellence have all been recognized at a local and regional level,” he said. “The next step would be for an ensemble under my direction to be selected to perform at a regional or national convention of the American Choral Directors Association.”

“Personally, I would like to pursue and complete my master’s degree in vocal music or choral conducting while continuing to serve in my current role,” he added.

Drees and his wife, Bre, the athletic trainer for Dodger sports, have two children, Nora and Weston. His daughter was a member of the musical cast this year, playing the younger version of the lead.

“It was so special having Nora be a part of the musical this year,” Drees said. “She loved every minute of it, and it was such a joy to watch her on stage.”