Matthew Mehaffey

The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore

April 25 & 26, 2026

Singers in Accord and guest conductor Matthew Mehaffey present a whimsical fusion of song, dance, and storytelling, featuring Gian Carlo Menotti’s satirical madrigal fable The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore brought to life with choreography by Penelope Freeh, University of Minnesota dancers, chorus, and live chamber orchestra. The program also delights with the playful wit of Eric Whitacre’s Animal Crackers and the vibrant, stylistic energy of Ola Gjeilo’s Unicornis Captivatur – a vivid celebration of myth, movement, and music.

Matthew Mehaffey

Matthew Mehaffey

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 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 “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 9th Symphony 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 young children.