Staff & Leadership
Tom Trenney
Artistic Director
Composer, conductor, organist, preacher, and teacher Tom Trenney has been blessed to serve as Artistic Director of Abendmusik and Minister of Music to First-Plymouth Church since 2009. In 2019, he became Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choirs at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Tom’s choirs have been honored to perform for state, regional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and they have been award winners in the American Prize for choral ensembles. He serves as Music in Worship Chair for Midwest ACDA.
Tom has been a featured performer at churches, colleges, and concert halls across the country including Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, Philadelphia’s Kauffman Center, Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall. His choral compositions are published by Augsburg Fortress, Beckenhorst Press, Choristers Guild, E.C. Schirmer/Galaxy, Morningstar, Musicspoke, Pavane, and G. Schirmer.
A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Eastman School of Music, Tom is grateful for the inspiration of his teachers and mentors – especially Anton Armstrong, David Davidson, Craig Hella Johnson, (Mister) Fred Rogers, William Weinert, Anne Wilson and Todd Wilson.
(402) 476-7565 ext. 222
MATTHEW FINKNER, Executive Director
A member of First-Plymouth Church for over 30 years, Matthew Finkner serves as Executive Director of Abendmusik at First-Plymouth. Preparation for and production of Abendmusik concerts consumes much of Matthew’s time. As a part-time volunteer his duties include preparation for Abendmusik Board meetings, donor development, grant writing, and oversight of financial and administrative operations.
Matthew has experience in legal research and writing and ensuring compliance with legislative statutes and regulations. His experience in developing automated systems streamlining various online operations is key to maintaining efficiency and to using Abendmusik’s donor management software.
Matthew graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in organ performance. While at the University he was active in the Cornhusker Marching Band, serving as both Head Drum Major and as a graduate assistant. He has served as Minister of Music for two Lincoln churches, Hope Reformed Church, and Trinity United Methodist (downtown), and continues to enjoy conducting and arranging. Previous employment included work in pipe organ building, interior design, and funeral service.
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT - Adrienne C. Dickson
VICE PRESIDENT - Lance Nielsen
SECRETARY - Betsy Bobenhouse
TREASURER - Joan Michelsen
Anita Breckbill
Dori Bush
David Florell
Daniel Ikpeama
Jon Marquez-Lamberty
Suzanne Schaffer
Pam Starr
Suzanne Sughroue
Dennis Van Horn
Larry Williams
Ken Winston
Leila Zila
Staff
Tom Trenney, Artistic Director
Matthew Finkner, Executive Director
Fred Schneider, Communications Coordinator