ACO Showcases Two Soloists Performing Alongside Their Mothers
When the Austin Civic Orchestra opens its 2025–26 season, audiences will witness a rare double debut. Bass trombonist Elizabeth Simpson and harpist Adalia Stiglich will each make their solo debuts with ACO, performing alongside their mothers, who are not only horn players in the orchestra but also sisters. It’s a remarkable family connection seldom seen on the concert stage.
Both young women were raised in musical households where rehearsals, performances, and instruments were part of everyday life, and where their mothers were not only role models but also active partners in their musical journeys.
Elizabeth & Christine Simpson
Elizabeth began playing trombone in sixth grade. While she was drawn to brass instruments like her parents, she was determined to try something different, and the slide’s novelty caught her attention. Within that first year, she took a chance on bass trombone, and it was a decision that set her on a unique path. “What felt like a small decision completely changed the course of my musical journey,” she says.
This season, Elizabeth returns home from graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University to perform the Ritter-George Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra on Saturday, September 27. Making the moment even more special is that her mother, Christine, who is Principal Horn of the ACO, and her aunt, Denise, also in the horn section, will be performing in the orchestra just behind her.
Elizabeth reflects on her mother’s impact over the years:
“My mom has been one of the most influential figures in my musical journey… While the voice that comes through my instrument is uniquely mine, she laid the foundation that allowed it to grow.”
For Christine, the moment is equally meaningful:
“I am thrilled for my daughter to have this experience and that I’ll be able to perform with her… it will be even cooler to be part of the ensemble.”
She also admires the way Elizabeth has embraced challenges in the male-dominated world of low brass:
“I love how even though we warned her going into trombone that she was likely going to be a minority as a female, that has never deterred her – if anything, it makes her dig her heels in more and work even harder!”
The Simpsons’ shared history is filled with family performances such as holiday brass caroling, church concerts, and serving as practice partners while listening to each other’s audition excerpts. Christine admires her daughter’s grit and determination, while Elizabeth says her mother’s relentless dedication to music has shaped her own ambition and spirit.
Adalia & Denise Stiglich
For Adalia Stiglich, the harp was a dream that began at age seven after she saw the instrument in an orchestra concert. She admits there was a stretch in middle school when she “hated the harp!” However, she credits her mother, Denise, for encouraging her to persevere and for showing her what it means to work hard while staying humble.
This season, Adalia will showcase the harp’s versatility and beauty by performing the third movement of Ginastera’s Harp Concerto on Saturday, February 7th. Just like her cousin Elizabeth, Adalia’s mother and aunt will be performing in the horn section during the performance.
Denise has been a valued member of the ACO horn section since 2018. She has witnessed and supported every step of Adalia’s journey from outgrowing her first harp in just two years, to earning TMEA All-State honors four years in a row, to competing on both harp and euphonium, and now pursuing a Music Performance degree at Indiana University.
Denise describes what this means to her as a mother:
“Sharing the stage as mother and daughter is such a meaningful experience – it’s not just about making music, but about deepening our bond in a really special way.” Denise also loves and admires that Adalia “has a lot of drive and motivation, along with nerves of steel, and never gives up.”
Adalia describes the admiration she has for her mother:
“I don’t think I know anybody who works harder than her… she’s such an amazing role model, you have no choice but to try and follow her.”
Their family music-making often turns into joyful chaos with brass ensemble rehearsals at the holidays, harp/horn duets at home that spark laughter, and shared performances at church and community events.
Civic Organizations & Families
Stories like these are why civic performance groups like the ACO are so important. These ensembles create an intergenerational space where professional musicians, students, educators, and passionate amateurs can share the stage. For families, these groups are more than rehearsal schedules and concert dates; they are places where parents model dedication and artistry for their children, and where those children can grow into confident musicians alongside the very people who inspired them.
In the Simpson and Stiglich families, music is a thread connecting children, parents, and grandparents – including Elizabeth and Adalia’s 95-year-old great-grandmother, who they hope will attend. Civic performance groups nurture that thread by making high-level performance opportunities accessible to players at every stage of life, and by giving audiences the chance to witness this commitment and lifelong pursuit to study and create music.
Music, Memories, and Full-Circle Moments
in Fresno CA
Having played together for almost 35 years, both Christine and Denise share a belief in music as a bond that connects generations and creates memories that last a lifetime. For Elizabeth, performing in the same space where her mother once premiered a solo “feels incredibly full-circle.” For Adalia, the concert is not just about her; it’s a celebration of the many family members whose encouragement and example made it possible.
This season, when the ACO spotlights these two soloists, audiences will hear more than just beautiful music. They’ll witness the sound of family, tradition, and love resonating from the stage.
Don’t miss these performances in the Austin Civic Orchestra’s 2025–26 season.