Connecting my dual science-music career path with my interests in public outreach, I created the Cosmos in Concert program as part of my NSF research fellowship. Through multimedia shows, in-school residencies, and public outreach events, this program brings together astronomy and live classical music to entertain and educate audiences.
Clip from Celestial Suite performance at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall at Northwestern University
Multimedia Shows
Multimedia shows comprise the main component to Cosmos in Concert. While a musical ensemble performs live, scientific videos are projected on-stage in an exciting fusion of sound and imagery. The images and animations are developed from a variety of sources including WorldWide Telescope and NASA imagery. Arranged for ensembles ranging in size from brass quintet to full orchestra, these multimedia shows are perfect for a variety of venues, from the concert hall to the classroom.
Celestial suite
Set to the musical work of the same name written by composer James Stephenson, "Celestial Suite" explores the work of five of history's most famous astronomers: Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Hubble, and Hawking. Each of the piece's five movements are accompanied with visualizations that correspond with the particular movement's astronomer-subject. Arranged for both full symphony orchestra and brass quintet.
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Celestial Suite: Mvt. V Hawking
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PERFORMANCES:
Music Institute of Chicago; Evanston, IL Carthage College; Kenosha, WI Wilmette Public Library; Wilmette, IL Adler Planetarium; Chicago, IL Northwestern University; Evanston (video) Fermi National Laboratory; Chicago, IL Rush Hour Concert; Chicago, IL Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra; Boulder, CO Colburn School; Los Angeles (video) |
SOLAR SYSTEM SYMPHONY
Solar System Symphony is a 1-hour educational outreach show combining live classical music with astronomy visualizations and narration. The show features music from Holst’s "The Planets" and other musical works and explores the exciting science of the planets of our solar system. Arranged for full orchestra and brass and percussion ensemble.
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Excerpts from Solar System Symphony performed by Colburn Brass Ensemble.
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PERFORMANCES: Nettlehorst School; Chicago, IL Northwestern University; Evanston, IL The Colburn School; Los Angeles, CA Niles North High School; Skokie, IL |
A Shout Across Time
In May 2017, Cosmos in Concert and CIERA hosted "A Shout Across Time," a free, public outreach event in Evanston, IL. The event featured the multimedia work "A Shout Across Time" composed by Ira Mowitz and developed at Montana State University as part of the "Celebrating Einstein" project. Also featured on the program was "Eclipse" with animations developed by Kyle Kremer.
