Shortly finishing his music studies at Texas Tech University, Mr. Porter began his first year of teaching in Katy ISD at Beck JH and Memorial Parkway JH. The following school year Mr. Porter was asked to open Beckendorff JH. In his nine years at Beckendorff the orchestra program grew from 58 students to over 250 becoming one of the premier middle school orchestra programs in Texas. The Beckendorff Orchestra was named a finalist in the Texas Honor Orchestra Finals for eight consecutive contests. During the 2011-2012 school year Mr. Porter and band director Susan Steber’s students performed as the invited MS/JH Full Orchestra at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and also performed as the 2012 TMEA MS/JH Honor Full Orchestra in San Antonio.
In the spring of 2013, Mr. Porter was hired to open what was the newest high school in Katy ISD, Tompkins High School. Since that first year, Mr. Porter has led the OTHS orchestra to much success as it has become an organization firmly rooted in service to the Katy community. Notable highlights include winning the 2018, 2023, and 2025 TMEA Honor Orchestra contests, and three Tommy Tune Awards for Outstanding Orchestra in 2016, 2022, & in 2024.
In 2006, Matthew and his wife Bryanna founded Katy ISD’s Junior High Orchestra Camp each summer to provide enrichment opportunities for Katy ISD string students which continues to this day. In 2014, the Houston Symphony named Mr. Porter the recipient of the Spec’s Award for Excellence in Music Education. He is the the founding music director of the Katy Youth Orchestra, an active freelance cellist, clinician, and adjudicator. Mr. Porter has served as an officer for TMEA Region 23, audition chair for TMEA All-State, and chair of the Orchestra UIL PML Committee. He on staff with the Houston Youth Symphony as one of their primary conductors and is also a member of Texas Orchestra Director Association, Texas Music Educator Association, Texas Music Adjudicator Association, Phi Mu Alpha, & Mu Omicron Honorary Fraternity.
Obra D. Tompkins High School, located in Southwest Katy, opened its doors to 865 students on August 26th, 2013. The building is named after a legendary educator who dedicated 35 years of service to Katy ISD and is one of nine high schools in the district. Tompkins HS is one of the most culturally diverse schools in the nation, currently educating 3,378 students from all over the world. The inaugural graduating class walked across the stage in June of 2016.
In 2013, the orchestra program served 57 students in grades 9-10 under the direction of Matthew Porter. Since that time the orchestra program has grown to over 240 student musicians from grades 9-12 thanks in part to the success of its feeder programs at Tays, WoodCreek, & Seven Lakes Junior Highs.
Since the school’s opening, the orchestras have earned UIL Sweepstakes awards. OTHS orchestras have earned top honors and awards at festivals around the state. In 2016, the Sinfonia orchestra earned it’s first placement as a state finalist for the 2017 TMEA Honor Orchestra Competition and shared the Tommy Tune Best Orchestra Award. Since then the orchestra has won title state title in 2018, 2023, and 2025. The OTHS orchestras often enjoy collaborating with all other fine art departments to provide a multifaceted experience for all students.