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The 14 students in the Peck School of the Arts 3-D Concepts class aren’t accustomed to a quiet classroom at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. But, listening to love songs for inspiration at first seemed a bit of a strange syllabus addition to the designers, who are much more accustomed to the echoes of saws and the sound of utility knives making their mark.
“I was really surprised honestly. The first time (our teacher) said we were commissioned to do a project, I thought it was a joke,” says freshman Victoria Wallace, laughing.
That project, however, is music to her teacher’s ears.
“It’s a collaborative effort between the Foundations program in the Department of Art and Design and the Music Department. We don’t get to play any of the music of course—we’re not qualified,” says associate lecturer Josh Wolcott. “But, we are designing and sculpting pieces that will be displayed on the band shell.”
The collaboration started in 2010 at the Peck School when the co-directors of the Chamber Music Milwaukee series came up with the idea to showcase the talents of art students outside of the Music Department.
“It sets us apart from other series, other chamber music venues. We’re able to do these things that other people don’t have the resources to do. But, because we have all this incredible art and talent, we might as well feature it,” says Todd Levy, adjunct professor of clarinet and co-director of Chamber Music Milwaukee with Gregory Flint.
When the partnership is complete, the musicians will have a backdrop, the teacher the chance to offer real world experience in an intro-level class, and the students an audience for their art.
“It will add an extra dimension to our work and I think our work will add an extra dimension to what they’re doing,” says 3D Concepts student Alex Headley.
You can see the student’s final work on stage on Valentine’s Day when celebrated soprano Susanna Phillips joins Chamber Music Milwaukee for a special concert.
Star of the Metropolitan Opera and winner of the 2010 Beverly Sills Award, Phillips will make her only Milwaukee appearance on Feb, 14 in the Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts. The concert features gems of the “Great American Songbook” by Gershwin, Bernstein and Sondheim.
For time and ticket information, visit http://www4.uwm.edu/psoa/programs/music/cmm.html
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