SUBSCRIBER CELEBRATION

May 13, 2008

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Meet Mark Thielen

Mark Thielen, Music Director and Conductor

Mark Thielen is a graduate of Florida State University. For the past twenty-eight years, he has taught in the Polk County school system where he currently serves as theory instructor and orchestra director at the Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland, Florida. In the past, Mr. Thielen's orchestras have performed successfully at state, regional, and national level festivals and conferences.

Mr. Thielen performs professionally with the Hollingsworth Trio and the Unstrung Quartet. He is a past president of the Florida Orchestra Association and currently serves as district chairman. For fourteen years, he was conductor of the Honors Orchestra program at the University of Central Florida. A highly sought-after clinician and conductor, Mark Thielen has served as conductor for several all-county, state, and regional level honor orchestras.

This year marks the 28th season that Mr. Thielen has been affiliated with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra. He served as concertmaster and associate conductor for 20 of those years before becoming the ISO's music director and conductor in 2000.

During his years in Polk County, Mr. Thielen has been seen either in the pit or on stage for many local theatrical productions. He has been music director, musician, or actor for approximately 30 musicals in Polk County, including Bartow, Winter Haven, and Lakeland.

He is also active at the First United Methodist Church in Lakeland where he sings in the Cathedral Choir. From September 1999 to June 2000, Mark served as interim choir director for the church. In addition, he has held lead roles in various dramatic productions and serves as baritone soloist.

In his spare time, if any is found, Mark loves to play golf (where he carries about a 6 handicap) and spend time with his family. His wife Tracy can be found in the viola section of the ISO. They have three beautiful daughters: Audra (13), Katie (11) and Lauren (9).