Symphony Chaco: A Journey of the Spirit
Live at The Touhill Performing Arts Center April 23, 2018
Engaging visuals created to accompany a symphonic performance by the combined talents of the Meramec Symphonic Band and Orchestra and the UMSL Symphony Orchestra along with the Meramec Concert choir and the UMSL University Singers.
To supplement the musical performance, my team and I created 11 motion pieces to coincide with the 11 movements of the symphony and projected them above the musicians on stage. Great care was taken to supply a visual experience that would enhance the performance and not draw attention away from the performers.
Full videos of the two motion pieces I created for this performance can be found below.
Photo: Carl Clark 2018
Prologue: All is Sacred
Composer Gary Gackstatter wanted his words and images to accompany this sweeping introduction to his Symphony Chaco.
Gackstatter's written words were typeset and timed to specific moments in the Prologue, and photographs selected from his personal collection were enhanced and modified to create 3 dimensional moving and rotating vistas. It's worth noting that there is no film or video footage during the entirety of this symphony. All movement was animated in After Effects using static images carefully selected to pull the audience into the grandeur that is Chaco Canyon.
Prayer to the Sacred Directions
The first movement of Symphony Chaco takes a subdued, yet majestic tone after an ephemeral solo and chant by R. Carlos Nakai. Due to the improvisational nature of Mr. Nakai, visuals that could be adjusted live to match the unpredictable length of his performance were created entirely within After Effects.
Once the Orchestra returns, we transition to night photography from Cindy and Carl Clark that was enhanced and modified to create an enchanting, starry dreamscape.
To view the performance in its entirety, including motion work from other fellow Meramec students, click here.
Thank you to Mike Swoboda and The Graphic Communications Department at St. Louis Community College at Meramec for this singular opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful and collaborative event.
Thank you to Wolfgang Ibur, Michaela Jones, Katie MacKenzie, Maura McBride, Briana Nguyen, Josiah Stull, and Christine Tosie for their outstanding work on the other motion pieces and for being an incredible team.
Thank you to Composer Gary Gackstatter for sharing and trusting us with his heartfelt work.
And thank you for viewing.
