Michael McGaghie

Michael McGaghie is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Macalester College, where he conducts the Macalester Concert Choir and Chorale while teaching music history, musicianship, and conducting courses. He is currently on sabbatical for Academic Year 2025-26 and additionally directs the Isthmus Vocal Ensemble (Madison, WI) and Harvard Glee Club Young Alumni Chorus.

His research focuses on choral conducting with emphasis on contemporary classical music, evidenced by commissions and premieres of works by Dominick Argento, Saunder Choi, Dominick DiOrio, Jocelyn Hagen, Dale Trumbore, and Jake Runestad. He actively advocates for living composers and maintains international clinical engagements across the United States.

Under his leadership, the Macalester Concert Choir performed at the 2016 American Choral Directors Association Midwestern conference—their first such invitation in fifty years. He was selected for the ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program in China, conducting at Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Fudan University. He currently serves as Treasurer of the National Collegiate Choral Organization after holding leadership roles in ACDA of Minnesota.

Dr. McGaghie previously taught at Harvard University and The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, mentored by Jameson Marvin and Ann Howard Jones. His professional activities include guest conducting for Singers in Accord and performing as tenor with the Minnesota Beethoven Festival Chorale.