On Thursday, Sept. 25, all-woman choir group Lyyra brought a fantastic performance to the Administration Building Auditorium at the University of Idaho. Leaving the stage with a standing ovation, they kicked the season off with a great start.
The group sang songs such as “Sing Joyfully” by William Byrd, “Landslide from Fleetwood Mac” by Stevie Nicks and “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell.They also played songs of their own arrangements and songs close to them.
Among these were “The Song of Trees and Growing Leaves” and “Rise Up My Love,” which were written by soprano MaryRuth Miller’s father, Leslie Savoy Burrs.
“My dad’s music has been kind of my life blood for kind of my whole life and is the thing that means the most to me when it comes to artmaking,” Miller said. “Getting to share it with this ensemble is just beyond special.”They also performed one of their very first songs they worked on together as a group, “When the Earth Stands Still” by Don Macdonald.
“Harmonies were phenomenal; the wide variety was really engaging,” said UI student Sawyer Hamm.
With Miller, Anna Crumley, Elizabeth Tait, Ingrid Johnson, Aryssa Leigh Burrs and Cecille Elliott making up the group, this women’s ensemble has only been working together for two years.
Founded by the VOCES8 foundation, they travel and perform a wide variety of music.
The U.K.-based VOCES8 foundation strives to promote “music education for all,” with the goal of creating unforgettable experiences and to inspire the audience.
Lyyra works to showcase the upper voice in women’s singing and displays a full range of capabilities.
The next ACMS concert, featuring Jeremy Denk and Richard O’Neill, will be on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building Auditorium.
The rest of the season continues in 2026 with the Viano Quartet performing on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m and Quartetto Gelato on Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Shelby Sandford can be reached at [email protected]