April 29, 2026 — On demand Through May 3
An Evening of Organ & Choir
Featuring University Singers and Northrop Organist Greg Zelek
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Top image: (left) Greg Zelek. Photo © Greg Helgeson. (right) University Singers. Photo courtesy of artist.
Duration: Approximately one hour and 10 minutes with no intermission.
By Andrew Balfour
Organ and choir
By Harold Arlen
Organ and choir
(Audience sings, see lyrics below)
(From “Messe Solennelle,” Op. 16)
By Louis Vierne
By Arthur Sullivan
Organ solo
By Samuel Barber
Organ and choir
By Jonathan Dove
By David Dickau
Choir, featuring Matt Haimovitz, cello, and Stephanie Arado, violin
By Léon Boëllmann
Organ solo
By Astor Piazzolla
Choir, featuring Matt Haimovitz, cello, and Stephanie Arado, violin
By Ola Gjielo
Organ and choir
By Queen
When all the world is a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble all around,
Heaven opens a magic lane.
When all the clouds darken up the skyway
There’s a rainbow highway to be found,
Leading from your window pane
To a place behind the sun,
Just a step beyond the rain.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops,
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow; why, then, oh why can’t I?
(Organ Interlude)
Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops,
That’s where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow; why, then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow,
Why, oh why can’t I?
Welcome to another extraordinary season of dance and music at Northrop — a season we are proud to offer, inspired by your curiosity, energy and commitment to making the arts a central part of life.
Rooted in the belief that the arts are essential to the human experience, Northrop is committed to cultivating intersections between performing arts and education — for all participants, now and for generations to come. This season, those intersections will be more vibrant than ever. We have curated performances that stretch boundaries, inspire reflection and celebrate both innovation and tradition in equal measure.
You’ll see in this season’s lineup a range of world-class artists and ensembles — some of whom we know well, others who bring voices and perspectives new to our stage. Each program is selected not only for its artistic excellence, but also for its ability to provoke thought, open dialogue and offer learning opportunities beyond the stage: workshops, pre-show discussions, community gatherings and more. These elements are meant to deepen your experience, helping to illuminate context, process and the living, breathing nature of creative work.
As part of the University’s teaching, research and service mission, Northrop strives to be a catalyst — igniting transformation in each individual, inspiring positive change in our world. Through the rhythm of dance, the textures of music and the shared moments among us in the audience, we hope you will find something that moves you, surprises you and invites you to see the world just a little differently.
I invite you to join us not just as spectators, but as participants. Ask questions. Bring friends. Explore more. Share what you experience. We are honored to present this season, and even more honored to share it with a community that values what the arts offer — beauty, challenge, joy and connection.
Thank you for being here and supporting Northrop. Together, let us make Northrop’s 97th season remarkable.
With gratitude,
Kari Schloner
Executive Director
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Northrop Advisory Board, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Northrop, the University of Minnesota’s historic home for the performing arts. For almost a century, Northrop has been a place where artistry, learning and community converge — a stage not only for extraordinary performances but also for dialogue, discovery and inspiration.
Each season, Northrop presents world-class dance, music and other performances, and serves as a gathering place for students, faculty and community members alike. These experiences enrich our campus and our state, fostering the creativity, curiosity and cultural understanding that are so vital in today’s world.
Your presence here affirms the importance of the arts in higher education and in civic life. We invite you to be more than an audience member — become an advocate for the arts. Share your experiences, bring new friends to Northrop and help us amplify the voices of artists and thinkers who inspire us to see the world anew.
We also ask you to consider a gift to Northrop. Your financial support ensures that future generations can access the transformative power of the arts, that students can encounter artists in their classrooms as well as on our stage and that our community can continue to gather here for moments that move and unite us.
Thank you for being part of Northrop’s story. Together, we can sustain this remarkable institution and secure its role as a cultural cornerstone for decades to come.
With gratitude,
Kelly McQueen, Chair, Northrop Advisory Board
American conductor and educator Matthew Mehaffey enjoys a national reputation in the field of choral/orchestral music through his engaging artistry, collaborative spirit, affirming pedagogical style and entrepreneurial approach to concert programming.
Mehaffey serves as professor of music at the University of Minnesota, where he was the 2015 recipient of the Arthur “Red” Motley Exemplary Teaching Award. In addition to conducting the University Singers, he teaches courses in choral literature and conducting. He has been the artistic director of the Oratorio Society of Minnesota (OSM) since 2008. During his leadership, OSM has endeavored to make the genre of oratorio relevant to 21st century audiences. Immersive programs like “The Music of Downton Abbey,” “Victoria!”, “Voices of Light,” “Lest We Forget” and “The Greatest Generation” have delighted audiences and led to OSM being hailed as the “Twin Cities’ foremost presenter of large-scale works for chorus and orchestra” (Pioneer Press). From 2016-2023 he was the music director of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the “Choir of Choice” of the Pittsburgh Symphony. During his tenure the choir received a Grammy nomination for its recording of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9” with the Pittsburgh Symphony.
He has published extensively on the topic of choral rehearsal technique with GIA Publications. He and his friend Dave Fielding are currently working on the English Heritage Music Series with the University of Minnesota Libraries. He and his wife Libby have four children.
University of Minnesota School of Music is the region’s leading institution for the education of successful performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, administrators and scholars. The School connects with the University through classes that foster creativity and artistic thought, participatory performing opportunities, community engagement activities and hundreds of public performances each year. For more information, visit the School of Music’s website.
Northrop Organist Greg Zelek. Photo © Greg Helgeson.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Supported by Anna M. Heilmaier Foundation.
Sponsored by hospitality partner, the Graduate Hotel Minneapolis.
You make legendary performances possible!
At Northrop, we believe in connecting great artists and ideas with our community and to a new generation of audiences. Your gift helps make memorable arts experiences possible by supporting extraordinary performances and new arts commissions, and helping ensure accessibility to everyone through live-streamed programming, outreach to diverse communities and subsidized student tickets. Our Friends are at the center of Northrop’s biggest ideas and brightest moments on stage.
Become a Friend of Northrop today!
Ways to Give:
To learn more about supporting Northrop please contact:
Cynthia Betz
betzx011@umn.edu or 612-626-7554
*Emeritus
The Northrop Advisory Board is committed to the growth and awareness of Northrop’s mission, vision, and the continued future of presenting world-class dance and music in our community. If you would like more information about the advisory board and its work, please contact Cynthia Betz, Director of Development, at 612-626-7554 or betzx011@umn.edu.
With the restoration and reinstallation of Northrop’s Aeolian-Skinner Opus 892 organ, a group of dedicated volunteers now partner with Northrop for the awareness, success, and growth of organ programming and education. The Northrop Organ Committee features volunteers who are help with advocacy, network building, relationship development, and fundraising to help sustain and build Northrop’s Pipe Organ Music Series and other community events.
The Northrop Campus & Community Council acts as a resource for Northrop’s future success and growth, ensuring that Northrop builds relationships with and engages the communities where we live, learn, and work. This group of committed volunteers helps Northrop connect with new audiences and advises on programming that reflects the diverse communities we serve.
A special thank you to our patrons whose generous support makes Northrop's transformative arts experiences possible. Make your mark on Northrop's future by becoming a Friend today, learn more by visiting Northrop's Give page.
We gratefully acknowledge the support from the Anna M Heilmaier Charitable Foundation, Americans for the Arts/National Relief Fund, Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation, City of Minneapolis, Minnesota State Arts Board, New England Foundation for the Arts, United States Artists, hospitality partner the Graduate Hotel Minneapolis, and event sponsors PNC Bank and RBC Wealth Management.
The Heritage Society honors and celebrates donors who have made estate and other planned gifts for Northrop at the University of Minnesota.
*Deceased
Thank you to the generous donors who continue to support programming for Northrop’s beloved Aeolian-Skinner Organ. It is because of you that this magnificent instrument’s voice will be enjoyed by many for years to come.
This season’s listing is current as of 47/23/26
Please contact Matthew Keefe at keefe175@umn.edu if you have any corrections or questions.