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Griffin McMahon is a
sixteen year old musician from Longmeadow, Massachusetts. He is a student at Longmeadow High School. He is currently enrolled at
the Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, where he studies organ with Dr.
Matthew Lewis and piano with Dr. Ernest Barretta. A member of the American
Guild of Organists, Griffin is one of its youngest members to be
professionally certified, after passing the CAGO examination at the age of
fifteen.
An enthusiastic
performer, Griffin is known for his versatility as a singer /
multi-instrumentalist and performer of a substantial repertoire crossing
many musical styles. His collaboration with his older brother,
Sean S. McMahon,
an outstanding singer-songwriter recently graduated from the New England
Conservatory of Music, stimulate both of their creative potentials. Whether it's the
music of George Gershwin, James Taylor, J.S. Bach, Lennon / McCartney, or
Cesar Franck, Griffin delivers in his solo performance a crossing of the
boundaries that distinguishes him as a young yet mature, artist who
always brings his passion, soul, and enthusiasm to the table.
Griffin's diverse
performances have included solo concerts at New England summer festivals,
organ / piano performances across the East Coast, and gigs in the UK /
Ireland. He likes to entertain (in the solo piano / vocal format)
locally and at private functions. In November 2008, he
was recorded and interviewed on the nationally syndicated radio program,
“PIPEDREAMS,” where he performed on the mighty 1921 E.M. Skinner pipe organ
at United Congregational Church Holyoke in Holyoke, MA. Griffin was also honored
to perform at Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall,
Philadelphia's famed Wanamaker Grand Court Organ at Macy's (largest
functional pipe organ in the world), Boston
Symphony Hall, Princeton University Chapel, Springfield Symphony Hall, and
Mechanic's Hall.
In December 2008,
Griffin made his conducting debut leading the Springfield Symphony Orchestra
in Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” in two Holiday Pops concerts at
Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA. He won the 2008 Peter Pan Bus Lines Young
Musician Conducting Contest. Griffin studies conducting privately with his
high school mentor, Mr. Michael Mucci.
He is currently
organist / choir director at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, in East
Longmeadow, MA, where he has the pleasure of playing the church’s two-manual
Southfield pipe organ and directing the choir at mass
every Sunday. Previously, he was organist at the Church of the
Good Shepherd in West Springfield, MA, which he started at the age of 13.
Griffin’s experience working as an organist at churches has not only given
him a wonderful opportunity to grow as a musician and organist, but gives
him a nurturing environment to grow as a communicator and philanthropist.
Griffin proudly organized and presented a fundraiser concert for the U.S.O
at the age of fourteen.
Griffin has had the
pleasure and fortune to work with some incredible mentors. He is extremely
grateful for the inspiration and support that his music teachers and family
continue to give him not only for music, but in life as well. Special thanks
to: Dr. Matthew Lewis,
Dr. Ernest Barretta, Peter and Abby Thomsen, Peter Beardsley, Michael Mucci,
Kayla Werlin and Michael Smith.
Contact Griffin via
email to hire him for a recital, function, or piano lesson:
griffin@griffinmcmahon.com
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