This month we are happy to more fully introduce to you our new District Convener for the North Shore AGO chapter. We will be hearing from Matthew from time to time, but this will give you a bit of an introduction to his life.
“Matthew Doran is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with degrees in music education and organ performance. He began his organ study with Dr. David Christiansen and studied with Professor James Russell Brown at NIU. He has performed with many of the university’s ensembles and appeared as organ soloist in Samuel Barber’s Toccata Festiva with the NIU Philharmonic in 2016 as a concerto competition winner. In addition to his organ studies, Matthew has studied jazz piano with Willie Pickens and has performed as a member of the NIU Jazz Lab Band.
In October 2014, Matthew performed in two concerts of the WFMT Bach Organ Project, a historic ten-concert series of the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach presented on organs throughout the Chicagoland area. In addition to organ recitals, he has performed on organ and piano in several professional ensemble settings. These include performances with Cor Cantiamo at St. James Cathedral in Chicago and with the Fox Valley Orchestra and Chorus.
Currently, Matthew is the Music Director of St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Arlington Heights. In the school, he teaches general music classes, choirs, beginning band, and musical theater. He is also the Illinois Convener in the American Guild of Organists. Matthew is beginning graduate studies at Concordia University Chicago with Dr. Steven Wente.”