CULMINATION OF THE ARTS. UW-Stout's music and visual arts students' holiday collaboration will be unveiled on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Symphonic Band's "Music in Motion" concert. (Images via UW-Stout • "Sleigh Ride" by Erin McKinley pictured)

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 2pm on Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall (302 10th Ave. E, Menomonie).

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 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.

The collaboration was developed by symphony Director Erika Svanoe and Professor Erik Evensen, program director of 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. Leighton's piece is a tribute to her grandfather, a WWII veteran and UW-Stout alum.

Harper Leighton's illustration for "Moorside March," inspired by her great grandpa's time in the U.S. Air Force.

When Leighton first listened to “Moorside March,” images of planes flying over the English moors flashed through her head. As she listened, she thought of her great grandpa Lee Roy Bedsted, a member of the 546th Bombardment Squadron in the United States Air Force.

“My great grandpa was the top turret gunner and engineer of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress airplane, 'Aces & Ates,' ” Leighton said. The plane’s name is reflected in her illustration.

“On the last of his 28 combat missions, he was shot down over Germany. He spent 10 months as a prisoner of war, with three of those months on a 500-mile, forced march across northern Germany in the winter,” Leighton said. “If he hadn't survived his ordeal in WWII, I literally would not be here today. I am so thankful for his bravery and dedication, while serving this country.”

As a benefit of the GI Bill, Bedsted earned a Bachelor of Science in education from UW-Stout in 1950. He also met and married his wife, Beverly, a fellow student. He returned to UW-Stout to earn a master’s in counseling in 1962.

Renee Smith's illustration for "Still Here."

“Lee Roy Bedsted was an incredibly kind and loving person, who did so much for his family and community. He also started a long family tradition of UW-Stout education; I will be the 11th person from my family to graduate from Stout,” Leighton said.

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 “Sailing With Whales,” Holtz felt a 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 movement and power of the song,” added Holtz.

Jay Holtz's illustration for "Sailing With Whales," somewhat inspired by Treasure Planet.

Read the full article from UW-Stout online. The UW-Stout Symphonic Band's "Music in Motion" show featuring visual art created by other UW-Stout students is slated for 2pm on Dec. 7 at the Memorial Student Center's Great Hall (302 10th Ave. E, Menomonie). Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at uwstout.universitytickets.com.