People On Campus

Maria Meyer -- A soprano who is loyal to the SFSU family

After returning the last phone call, answering the remaining e-mail and conferring with President Robert A. Corrigan for the final time of the day, Maria Meyer exits the President's Office and heads downtown for a night at Davies Symphony Hall - just as she's done for 17 years.

She doesn't go to take in a night of classical music, but instead to lend her voice to the San Francisco Symphony Chorus as one of its professional members. Balancing a full schedule of professional singing and a 40-hour work week has been Meyer's routine since 1985, when she entered SFSU's masters program for music and filled a job in the President's Office.

The 53-year-old soprano acts as the front line between President Corrigan and the public, fielding questions from students and staff, and finds that it offers a refreshing contrast to singing under the direction of symphony conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. Meyer's long relationship with the University, beginning with her undergraduate studies in the 1970s, enhances her commitment to the job.

"As a full-time musician I might not be able to spend time on other activities, but by working here I have a chance to become involved in campus happenings," Meyer says, referring to SFSU's creative arts performances and volunteer opportunities. In Meyer's view, a life focused on music, work and community involvement is essential.

"She's a great colleague whose marvelous musical talent only adds to the joy of having her in the office," President Corrigan says. "She is a hard-working and dedicated member of our team with a lively spirit and a terrific way with students who come to us with difficult problems."

A competent piano and violin player by age 15, Meyer first pursued her dream of singing during high school and after graduation decided to enter college as a music major. She tried out a number of programs in California, looking for a school with a progressive approach. SFSU's reputable music teachers drew her attention.

"The fact that there were jazz musicians on the faculty was a significant change from what I'd seen elsewhere," says the St. Louis native. "It gave the school an almost experimental feeling."

She arrived on campus in 1972 when the Cesar Chavez Student Center was "an 8-foot hole in the ground" and a new landscape was emerging. After Meyer received her bachelor's degree in music in 1975, she continued to sing while she juggled a variety of jobs from weight loss consultant to bank teller.

She returned to SFSU in the mid-'80s, earned a master's degree in music, landed a job and never left.

"Maria is our chief greeter; she has terrific people skills," says Elogeanne Grossman, staff assistant to President Corrigan. "The office meets with people from all over the world and you need a flexible attitude to work with them."

Over the years Grossman has supported Meyer by attending shows such as her master's degree recital and last July's televised choral performance of "Sweeney Todd," the award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim.

"We really have a star amongst us," Grossman adds.

Meyer's first attempt at professional singing might have discouraged a less tenacious person. In 1984 she auditioned for a chorus position with the 200-member San Francisco Symphony but didn't make the final cut. Without losing faith she returned to the auditions a few months later and this time successfully joined the chorus as one of its 30 paid members.

The chorus has performed in such locations as New York City's Carnegie Hall and its recordings have garnered two Grammy awards. With about 33 performances a year, covering six to seven programs a season, Meyer must maintain a quality voice to sing professionally and pass annual auditions. Thanks to her devotion and solid training, she remains a strong member.

"She's a fine person with a fine voice - powerful, yet able to blend in with a large group," says Professor Emeritus William Hopkins, Meyer's graduate adviser in SFSU's Music Department. "I wasn't surprised at all by her success."

In 1995, while Meyer was meeting the demands of two busy jobs she still found enough free time to take on volunteer work. She's donated years of her time through campus organizations such as America Reads, a group that recruits and trains reading tutors, and Roving Resume Writers, which helps disenfranchised women gain job interview skills.

For now, her days belong to SFSU and her nights to the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and Meyer isn't about to slow down anytime soon. This semester she's taking French classes and says a doctorate degree in music is "not entirely impossible."

- Anastasia Thrift

Return to February First Monday

Return to First Monday Archive

SFSU, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132
Last modified February 4, 2002, by Webmaster & Co.