Austin College sopranos Meghan Reeves and Lillian Boessen will present a joint recital Friday, April 23, at 7 p.m., livestreamed via Facebook/Austin College Music Department. The sophomores will perform separately during the recital and join for a duet performing “I Waited for the Lord” by Felix Mendelssohn to close the performance.
Reeve’s solo music includes “Si, ma d’un altro amore” from Ascanio in Alba by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Lied der Mignon” by Franz Schubert, “The Sea-Bird” by Roger Quilter, and “Si mes vers avaient des ailes” by Reynaldo Hahn.
Reeves has sung in choral settings since sixth grade and is continuing that interest as she completes a major in music and a minor in education at Austin College. She plans to pursue a career as a choir director and voice instructor, and to be involved in singing and helping others sing as long as she can.
At Austin College, she sings in the A Cappella Choir and belongs to Delta Omicron Music fraternity. “I have found a home in the Music Department,” Reeves said. “Austin College was very inviting to me as a musician, primarily because of my voice instructor Sylvia Rivers. I was already studying with her privately while in high school, and she made the transition to collegiate singing as smooth as possible. She assured me that Austin College would provide personal relationships and guidance for voice as I grow as a performer.”
Boessen also is completing a major in music and plans minors in education and psychology.
For the recital, she will present “Stizzoso, mio stizzoso” by Pergolesi,” L’heure exquise” by Poldowski, “Cabin” by Paul Bowles, “Sulieka 1” by Schubert, “El paño moruno” and “Polo” by Manuel de Falla, and “Vado ma dove” by Mozart.
At Austin College, Boessen sings in the A Cappella Choir and in the vocal jazz ensemble, the Consort. “I’ve been singing as long as I can remember,” she said, though she did not sing formally until high school. There, she realized she wanted to pursue music as a career.
Anna Clarkson, one of her high school choir teachers, inspired her. “She was one of the first people who told me I could do anything I wanted to and I will never forget that,” Boessen said. She began a path toward education and teaching choir at the high school level.
Another teacher has been with her for some time, too. “Sylvia Rivers has been my saving grace in many ways here at Austin College,” Boessen said. “I have been very lucky to have her as my voice teacher since high school. She has helped me grow not only in my musical endeavors, but also as a person. She has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, which has made me motivated to work as hard as I can so that I can keep growing. Even though music is my main pursuit at Austin College, I have never felt like it was my only activity. The faculty do a wonderful job of educating the whole person so that each aspect of one’s education and life experience is stimulated.”
She’s also happy to work with other students. “I am excited to share the stage with Meghan. Making music is always better in the company of great people like her,” Boessen said.
Rivers has served as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Music at Austin College for several years.