James C. Rivers

Well-known pianist and educator, James Rivers, passed away in Topeka, Kansas, on July 4, 2026, at the age of 82. He was the son of Ida Bernice (McClaran) Rivers and Horace Calvin Rivers. He is survived by his sons, David Rivers and James Arthur “Art” Rivers; his best friend, Julie Rivers; and his cousins, relatives and in-laws in Oklahoma, Indiana, California and Texas. A celebration of life will be announced at a future date.

James Calvin Rivers was born on July 13, 1943, in Oklahoma City. He spent his childhood in Cyril, Oklahoma. He was a graduate of The Juilliard School and the University of North Texas. His New York Town Hall debut recital at age twenty-five launched an international career. He appeared with prominent orchestras and performed solo recitals and chamber music in major European and North American cities. He was featured at summer music festivals, including Spoleto Festival USA, the Oregon Bach Festival and the Texas Round Top Festival, and on live broadcasts in New York, Brussels and Paris. He performed at the prestigious Four Freedoms Award ceremony in honor of President John F. Kennedy, and for years he was the collaborative pianist for acclaimed Metropolitan Opera soprano, Margaret Kalil.

James Rivers held the first appointment as Pianist-in-Residence in the history of Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. He served as Professor of Music for forty-six years, retiring in 2014. His students have won major prizes in competitions, including The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He was the 2009 recipient of the Kansas “Governor’s Arts Award” in the artist category.

James Rivers was a founding member of the Sunflower Music Festival (Topeka), Buzzards Bay Musicfest (Marion, MA), and Western Slope Music Festival (Crested Butte, CO). He recorded seven albums for the Educo label, in addition to his festival recordings. He was a published composer, and he gave premiere performances of new works by young American composers.

The remainder of this memorial was written by Ted Heim, Professor Emeritus, Washburn University, on July 22, 1986, as an introduction of James Rivers to the Dr. Karl A. Menninger Lecture Series audience. Jim spoke on the topic, “Where Are We Headed? The State of the Arts in Kansas.” The following words embrace the characteristics and attributes for which Jim was, and is now, remembered and cherished:

Friends of Jim Rivers, of whom there are many, know him as a person of many dimensions. His talent, of course, and his willingness to share that talent with a variety of audiences in a multiplicity of settings. His professionalism and his commitment to the arts. His love of and his commitment to his family. His concern for and his service to his community and his friends, and certainly not least, his sense of humor.

Born in Oklahoma City (at an early age, he says), his musical ability was recognized as a youngster. He was serving as church organist when he was ten. Since his performance with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at age eighteen, he has appeared as a soloist and duo-pianist with his wife, Julie, in hundreds of concerts. He has performed as “artist in residence” in many cities through the auspices of multiple touring programs. As an example, the city of El Paso, Texas, engaged him for a period of five days of performing and speaking. At that time, he won the Texas Municipal League “Arts Achievement Award” for 1983.

Some may not recognize Jim Rivers’ versatility in bringing his art to all ages and in all possible settings. He has performed at The Villages, the family-type group home founded by Dr. Karl and Jean Menninger. His Young Peoples’ Concerts, begun in 1974, have reached over one million children. As of 1986, sharing his art outside the formal concert hall, his performance venues have included libraries, retirement centers, shopping malls, city parks, town squares, two zoos and one swimming pool. Some of these venues involved performing on P S O’s (piano shaped objects, vaguely resembling musical instruments).

In regard to Jim’s talent, I think all will agree with the music critic in Louisiana who wrote, “The instant James Rivers appeared on the stage, it was clear we were in for a treat. He is, by all appearances, one of those musicians who loves to play. In no uncertain terms, the audience knew it had glimpsed a master at work.”

Family obviously has a high priority with Jim and Julie who are parents of two talented sons, David and Art. If you are a fan of baseball, as Jim is, you are likely to see him attending one of David’s games, assisting as coach, and even offering opinions on umpire’s calls. In another setting, you may see Jim accompanying Art in a violin performance at Central Congregational Church where Jim serves as organist.

Jim’s commitment to the community is well-known. For six years he was a member of the advisory panel for the Kansas Arts Commission. He also served on the board of directors for the Topeka Chamber Music Series and the Topeka Arts Council’s Dance Arts of Topeka, and he was vice-president of the Association of Community Arts Agencies of Kansas.

Jim is known as a caring friend who is there when needed, and a number of us can confirm that in time of need, he can move a piano with virtuosity equal to his concert performances.

Many students have been fortunate to know Jim as a skilled and concerned teacher. He began teaching at Washburn University in 1968. He was designated an Outstanding Educator in America in 1975. Perhaps Jim’s sense of humor is not as well-known as his accomplishments. Who else, I ask, but Jim Rivers would develop a widely acclaimed humorous presentation, for after-dinner occasions, on the trials of a concert career titled, “My Piano Gets Twenty Miles Per Gallon.” Or compose, with Julie’s assistance, a choral introit based on that classic, “The Chattanooga Choo-Choo.” Or share with friends a recurring nightmare when a student approaches, and to his complete surprise, exclaims: “Professor Rivers, I certainly am looking forward to your concert tonight.” Or advise an operatic soprano whom he was accompanying on a tour who wanted a quick source of energy at intermission, to eat raisins and drink plenty of seltzer water. Jim commented that the soprano gave a bubbling performance, in the second half of the program. . . and she never forgave him.

To all who know him, James Rivers is a well-rounded, total person whose passion for the arts is balanced by his sense of perspective and love of life. This balance is reflected in a quotation from Henry Moran, Executive Director of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, who said, “Jim Rivers is one of those few, rare artists, who gives audiences experiences that reveal a mature, balanced and warm human being. The dedication he brings to everyone he touches as a teacher, performer, businessman and advocate for the arts is truly unusual. I am sure that thousands of people – ranchers, students, teachers and maestros – that he has reached through his artistry would readily agree.”

Memorial contributions may be made to Sunflower Music Festival, 1700 SW College Ave. Topeka, KS 66621 https://sunflowermusicfestival.org/contact/#donate; or Washburn University Department of Music at Washburn Alumni Association and Foundation, 1700 SW College Ave. Topeka, KS 66621.

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