Power Duo Organ and Choir Close Out the Season

Q: In a performance featuring two massive instruments, how do you balance the sheer power of the Northrop organ to support the University Singers without overpowering them?

A: I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to showcase the UMN University Singers and the organ’s ability to collaborate in meaningful ways. The organ and choir truly are both “massive” instruments on their own, and when joined, the sonic experience is breathtaking. The organ has a unique range of color and dynamic flexibility, so rather than always using its full power, I shape the sound to complement the choir, sometimes acting like a soft string section underneath the warm tones created by the ensemble. Working with Professor of Music Matthew Mehaffey and the University Singers will be especially inspiring. Their versatility allows us to explore so many styles, and I’m thrilled to partner with such outstanding young musicians. This collaboration highlights how the organ isn’t just a solo instrument — it’s an incredible partner.

Q: How do the Northrop organ’s specific pipes help capture that “quintessential gothic vibe” of Léon Boëllmann’s “Suite Gothique” in the program?

A: Boëllmann’s “Suite Gothique” is a perfect showcase for the Northrop organ, and I’m particularly excited to bring it to life on the Carlson Family Stage. The four-movement work uses almost all the different sounds of the Northrop organ and will briefly transform our hall into a gothic cathedral. The lyrical third movement and the final movement of the work really do capture the essence of the French-Romantic sound world and style, and our instrument is perfectly suited to showcase this thrilling piece.

Q: In “I Am Spirit,” a smaller group of University Singers performs with the violin/cello duo of Stephanie Arado and Matt Haimovitz. Later, the pair joins the organ for Astor Piazzolla’s “Invierno Porteño.” How does the organ step into the world of Tango?

A: “I Am Spirit” by David Dickau offers a beautiful contrast within the program. Featuring a smaller choir alongside the violin and cello creates a more intimate, transparent texture that highlights a different side of the ensemble. We’re grateful to introduce two additional UMN School of Music faculty members to the evening, violinist Stephanie Arado and cellist Matt Haimovitz, who will join the choir on stage for this piece. 

Arado and Haimovitz will also add pizzazz to Piazzolla’s beautiful work, an arrangement I’m particularly excited about. This is where the organ really gets to transform into another kind of instrument. With the right registrations and articulation, it can capture the rhythmic drive and color of tango in a very compelling way. The organ becomes almost like a bandoneon, an instrument used in most tango ensembles, supporting and interacting with the violin and cello. It’s a perfect example of how the organ can step into virtually any genre and feel completely at home. I also have such nostalgia when playing this piece, as I first performed it on the piano as a freshman in high school!

Q: The sing-along “Over the Rainbow,” most recognized from “The Wizard of Oz,” is such a classic favorite. What does this selection bring to the program?

A: Having the crowd join us in “Over the Rainbow” engages the audience, transforming the concert into a shared experience. It’s a piece that most people know, regardless of their generation. Moments like this break down the barrier between the performer and listener, as well as reveal yet another side of the organ: It can just as easily accompany a beloved classic as it can play a Bach fugue or a tango.

Q: As you close out the 2025-26 Northrop Music Series, what “final note” or feeling do you hope the audience carries out of the theater?

A: I think the whole program reflects the expansion of what an organ concert can be. We’re constantly pushing boundaries, bringing in new collaborations and exploring repertoire that shows the organ in fresh and unexpected contexts — and hopefully sharing a few laughs along the way! That spirit of innovation is something I’m proud of and energized by, and I look forward to many more opportunities to share great music with everyone.

Ultimately, I hope the audience leaves feeling entertained, surprised and connected — not just to the music, but to the instrument and our program. This season has been a celebration of possibility, and I truly believe next season will be just as exciting. We’re committed to continuing this momentum and expanding the program even further as we welcome more and more people into the hall to experience these unique events. If people walk away with a renewed sense of what the organ can do and a desire to come back for more, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to achieve. I’m grateful to our audience for making me and my family feel so at home at Northrop!