Austin Engel’s life is split between attending school and being on the road with music partner Barry Craft. Together, they are the Two Tenors.
“It’s a big change for me,” he says. “I’m finally financially independent, and traveling can be really tough, but it’s worth it. We put on a great show, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The Lake Highlands graduate is now a senior at the University of North Texas majoring in vocal music education. Engel grew up singing at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church, and it was his children’s choir director there who noted the potential in his voice. That gave him the confidence to try out for the Texas Boys Choir in the fourth grade, launching his music career at an early age.
During his junior high and high school years, Engel continued performing at his church, and today he’s what some would consider a multi-faceted performing artist. He plays four instruments – guitar, trombone, piano and euphonium – and was a member of UNT’s world-renowned A Cappella Choir. And he’s no stranger to the stage. In the area of musical theater, Engel has played leading roles in “Oklahoma,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and others. He has also performed in operas such as “Carmen,” “The Magic Flute” and “Madame Butterfly.”
“I’ve been in front of an audience my whole life, so it’s pretty normal now,” Engel says.
He got his start as half of the Two Tenors when he met tenor Barry Craft, who had earned a reputation as one of the most sought-after singers of his generation.
“I was counter soloist and assistant director of a church choir in Corinth, and one of the little ladies of my church choir knew Barry and apparently had been pitching my talents to him behind my back,” Engel says. “He saw my resume and heard me perform, and he liked what he heard.”
The duo has concerts booked every weekend and plans to tour Japan next summer. The theme of their performance is “A Sacred Concert in White Tie and Jeans.”
“Barry is the experienced tenor who has had his big opera career, so he wears the white tie, he does the more traditional side,” Engel says. “I am the new up-and-comer who is just getting my start, so I don’t wear the tuxedo – I wear jeans.”
The idea behind the title is two singers with different backgrounds and musical styles, one traditional and one contemporary, performing a sacred concert.
“It was a big thing in the Baptist church back in the ‘90s,” Engel says. “The ‘church music wars’ were going on about if we should be doing contemporary music or sticking with our old standby traditional music. I wouldn’t say I’m the contemporary guy – I’m just the young guy. So it’s the old experience versus the new up-and-coming experience.”
Engel will showcase his collegiate musical training at his old stomping grounds during an upcoming concert at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church, but he’s remaining fairly modest about it.
“People who attend the concert can expect to hear some sacred music performed by one incredible tenor and one pretty good tenor,” Engel jokes.
