The comfort of holiday music will be paired with festive visual art at “Music in Motion,” presented by University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Symphonic Band at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall.
The concert will feature music about various kinds of transportation, including a train ride with music from “The Polar Express,” an ocean voyage with Rossano Galante’s “Sailing with Whales,” and a holiday favorite, “Sleigh Ride.”
Each musical piece will be paired with illustrations created by UW-Stout students, projected on the screens in the Great Hall. The illustrations are a visual representation of the music, based on the composers’ theme or musical expression.
Purchase tickets at uwstout.universitytickets.com.
Illustrations inspired by music
The collaboration was developed by symphony Director Erika Svanoe and Professor Erik Evensen, program director of B.F.A. in illustration. The series of images were produced by illustration, animation and digital media and graphic design and interactive media students in Evensen’s Digital Illustration class.
Featured student artists include Erin McKinley, Jay Holtz, Jenna Good, Kaleigh Kahl, Renee Smith, and Harper Leighton, whose piece is a tribute to her grandfather, a WWII veteran and UW-Stout alum.
McKinley, a GDIM senior from Little Falls, Minnesota, chose to illustrate “Sleigh Ride” because it brings her a sense of nostalgia and comfort. “My family would listen to the song when visiting our extended family for the holidays,” she said.
Her artwork captures the joy and excitement of the winter season, even in the midst of winter flurries, rosy cheeks and foggy breath. She was inspired by the color palettes of artist and animator Mary Blair, intentionally selecting bright colors.
“Winter can be dark and gloomy. I wanted to balance the cool gray tones of the sky with magenta and warm greens,” McKinley said. “There is a joy and energy to the song. The horses emulate the energy, movement and intensity of the song. It’s like they are dancing.”
Listening to the “Sailing With Whales,” Holtz felt such powerful forward movement, he said, “along with the story behind the song talking about sailing out for whale watching, specifically orcas. Somewhat inspired by ‘Treasure Planet,’ it’s mainly an original concept from my head.
“I like the highlights from the sunrise, and the form of the clouds. I hope others can feel the moment and power of the song,” he added.
Introducing children to music
Seven members of the Symphonic Band performed for preschool students at the university’s Child and Family Study Center recently in a short concert coordinated by Rachel Larson, an early childhood education major, with the help of Senior Instructional Specialist Marica Wolf, afternoon lead in the four-year-old classroom.
Larson, of Cameron, is in her second semester of lab experiences at the Child and Family Study Center, learning from the head teachers and teaching her own lessons, including playing her flute for the children. She also plays the alto saxophone and piano.
“I hope to grow my musical talents and use them in my future classroom,” she said. “I think sharing music with the community is important, as it creates a powerful sense of connection — both within the band and beyond it. It brings us together as performers, forming our own supportive circle, while also inviting others to experience and celebrate our talents.
“I believe it’s especially meaningful to introduce music to children early on, helping them explore their interests in a warm, inclusive environment that fosters creativity, confidence and belonging. I am incredibly grateful for Erika in devoting her time to being our conductor; she has made my experience in the UW-Stout band so fun, warm and inviting.”
