The nearly-full room buzzed with the sound of excited students, faculty and family until the lights flashed and hushed each voice.
The clock sang, and so did the Butz Carruth Recital Hall as it came to life again after a long summer. A collaborative recital, assembled and performed by Music department Co-Chair and Professor of Music Conor Angell and Assistant Professor of Music Mary Kathryn Brewer, filled the August air with different styles of music featuring various languages and messages.
“They selected and showed off a variety of each of their technical skills, from breathwork to vocal diction and pronunciation,” attendee Gabrielle Hamilton, a sophomore musical theatre major, said.
Brewer broke the silence as she sang her first German piece, “Die Schwalben” by Josephine Lang. The vibrato in her voice echoed off the walls and opened the door to a journey the audience joined her on. No one dared breathe too loudly as to not disrupt the beauty of the moment.
Angell began his performance with 16 pieces by Robert Schumann. Goosebumps formed on the arms of the attendees as Angell took each soul on a rollercoaster of passion, dedication and technique.
“The poetry is direct and evocative, and the music is a faltering outpouring of mixed emotion,” Angell said.
“From Old Fairy Tales Beckons” was the 15th song in Angell’s first set, exploring the wonders of a magical land. Knowing it will all melt away with the rise of the sun, the lyrics describe a wish to enter the land in vain.
The recital featured songs in German, French, Italian and English. Even when words were not understood through the language barrier, Hamilton said, the story was made evident by the expression revealed in both Brewer and Angell.
Each playwright and composer was recognized as a vital part of the whole performance. From Verdi’s playful side, Josephine Lang's lyrical touch, Georges Bizet's expression through French, Mark Hayes's sacred arrangement, Eva Cassidy's soulfulness and Jerome Kern’s delightful arrangement, there was variety that added depth to the performance.
“I love singing music that speaks to God’s goodness, faithfulness and power,” Brewer said. “These songs are deeply meaningful to me because God has been so gracious to me during the most challenging moments of my life.”
Students raved about the recital for its well-arranged repertoire, showcasing a variety of technical skills and characterization. Classical pieces evoked thought, nostalgic songs brought back memories of the past and fun surprises were performed through musical medleys.
As the audience stood in applause at the end of the performance, a dispute broke out between Angell and Brewer. This surprise competition transitioned into a sing-off, taken from the song “Anything You Can Do” from the musical “Annie Get Your Gun.” As the performers started singing, the audience cheered in anticipation of the encore. The medley did not disappoint as Sheila Tood, the pianist for Brewer throughout the recital, previously arranged and wrote the personal touches included in the song.
“It just shows us how capable our professors are and how fun music can be,” Hamilton said. “And I think that it's just a really awesome peek behind the curtain of how much work all faculty do to excel at their disciplines.”
Through the emotional shifts of truly human moments, each song transformed the Recital Hall into a magical land that will be remembered far beyond the morning sun.
