Bolivar’s Reece McMahan Heading to Carnegie Hall
Reece McMahan may not be going to Hollywood (for now), but he is headed to Carnegie Hall in New York City having been selected to attend its Honors Performance Series Music Program. This is the 15th season for the series and Reece will have the opportunity to strengthen his musical abilities as well as perform on stage at Carnegie Hall.
Reece has been playing the clarinet for six years and currently plays in the band at Bolivar Central High School (BCHS), where he is a junior. Music has been a part of his life for a long time.
“I love the environment that it can bring, including the people that it surrounds. I truly admire the feeling and passion that can go into a performance. I’ve always been deeply captivated by the emotion that can be conveyed through music,” said Reece.
For some people, when they hear the name McMahan, they automatically think music. And rightly so with his father, Mikey, who plays guitar and sings, and mother, Christy, who plays the keyboard and sings. And let us not forget his sister, Kyndle Wylde, who has been long performing professionally as a singer and just recently won first place in the CBS Mornings Mixtape Music Competition.
McMahan just equals music, and Reece continues the family legacy making his mark with successes. Some of his other accomplishments include the University of Tennessee at Martin Honors Band in 2022 and 2023, and the All-West Tennessee Band in 2023.
“I have taught Reece for two years. Reece’s main instrument is the clarinet, but he is also a major tenor in our school choir. He has sang for our concerts and events here. One of them being our original Christmas production, Girls Trip. These two years have been a great experience with Reece being that he is one of the most driven students inside of our band program,” said BCHS band director William Griggs. “Reece is different to say the least. The amount of work that he puts in is unimaginable. I believe the thing that drives him is fear of not knowing. He is a sponge when it comes to his clarinet. He wants to know the best techniques, methods, and representatives on his instruments. I’m excited to see Reece grow in his craft. He is definitely someone that is going to represent our county, school, and his family in the best way possible with or without his instrument.”
Mr. Griggs, an accomplished musician himself, has already had experience working with a McMahan musician and recognizes talent.
“I did perform with his sister, Kyndle. Me and Kyndle actually went to school together. She was a senior while I was a freshman. After high school, we continued performing together at the University of Memphis inside of a large ensemble called SoundFuzion. We still keep in contact to this day,” said Mr. Griggs.
Reece is looking forward to participating in the Honors Performance Series Music Program. He expects it to be a great experience that will nurture his musical interests and allow him to meet other talented musicians. Reece’s long term plans are to go to college and major in performance, study in music education, or earn a general music degree. He has hopes of joining a wind ensemble somewhere and playing professionally.
“What I’m looking forward to the most [in the program] is connecting with people and surrounding myself with those who share the same common musical goals as I do,” said Reece.”
Reece will attend the Honors Performance Series Music Program Monday through Friday, November 7 -11, 2024. A GoFundMe account for Reece has been set up if you would like to help cover the cost of his travel.
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