Griffin McMahon is a sixteen year old musician from Longmeadow, Massachusetts. He is a sophomore first honors 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 currently enrolled at 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 and piano performances across the East Coast, and gigs in the UK / Ireland. He likes to entertain (in the solo piano / vocal format) at 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 has also had the honor of performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Princeton University Chapel, Paul Recital Hall at the Juilliard School, Springfield Symphony Hall, and Mechanic's Hall among others.
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 the organist / assistant 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 the 10 am mass every Sunday. Previously, he held the post as 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
