The Wabash Unit of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association would like to recognize
forty-eight area students, representing eight schools, whose works of art were sent to Indianapolis for
statewide judging in the Symphony in Color competition.
Symphony in Color is an enrichment program in which children in grades one through six listen
to classical music selections and then draw a visual interpretation of the music to illustrate what the
music meant or suggested to them. This year’s five selected compositions were Richard Strauss’
Something Waltz from Der Rosenkavalier; Main Theme from Jurassic Park by John Williams; Main Theme
from Back to the Future by Alan Silvestri; Infernal Dance from The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky; Passacaglia
from Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor by J. S. Bach. After hearing the selections, each student chose
one musical example to inspire his/her art interpretation. Students from Manchester, Metro North, O. J.
Neighbours, St. Bernard, Sharp Creek, and Southwood elementary schools, Wabash Middle School and
Wabash area Home-Schooled students prepared their art projects for their teachers. Following specific
criteria, the teachers then chose a maximum of six or seven entries from their school to be sent to
Indianapolis for the competition. Entries were judged on the qualities of musical interpretation, age-
appropriate artwork, color or shading, balance, and overall appeal.
Thousands of students participate in this statewide program that is designed to develop an
appreciation of both music and the visual arts. From the school entries submitted to Indianapolis, 100
finalists and 36 blue ribbon winners were chosen. Thirteen Wabash County students were part of this
select group.
Raegan Jones, a 6 th grade art student from Wabash Middle School, was awarded the Pacini
Award, the highest award in the state competition. This award, formerly the Committee Choice Award,
was renamed in Renato Pacini’s honor as a token of appreciation for his many years of service to the
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and his support of the efforts of the Junior Group. Renato Pacini was
a beloved member of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for fifty years, serving as Associate and
Assistant Conductor, Assistant Concertmaster, and as a member of the first violin section. He was
instrumental in presenting the early seasons of the Lollipop Concerts, sponsored by the Junior Group.
Raegan received a certificate and a cash award of $300 for winning this prestigious award. Her drawing
is on display at the Hilbert Circle Theatre for the rest ofl this year. Raegan’s art teacher is Krystina
Martin.
Seven students were awarded gold ribbons for excellent recognition at the state level. They
were Brynna Harshman, grade 2 from Manchester Elementary; Joslyn Bruning, grade 1 and Jaylynn
Turner, grade 3 from Metro North; Landon Mast, grade 5 and Callie Hoffman, grade 6 from Sharp Creek;
Holden Poston, grade 5 from St. Bernard; Quinn Myers, grade 6 from Wabash Middle School. Other
finalists were Amy Brovont, grade 3 from Manchester Elementary, Keira Oswalt, grade 3 from Metro
North; Sandy Lindsay, grade 1 from O. J. Neighbours; Jade Harrington, grade 6 from Sharp Creek; Audrey
Parker, grade 3 from Wabash Area Home School Art. The pictures drawn by these thirteen students
were on display at the Indiana State Museum and the Hilbert Circle Theater during February and March.
Additional Manchester entries, submitted by art teacher Christy Schuler, were Ainsley Metzger,
Landon Metzger, Reed Metzger and Grace O’hara. Other Metro North entries, submitted by art teacher
Katy Gray, were Charlotte Harrington, Abbonie Hughes and Ethan Krom. Alicia Gullotti, art teacher at O.
J. Neighbours entered work by Hailey Berry, Piper Ellett, Hazel McCoart, Emma Morel and Demetri Shull.
St. Bernard’s entries from teacher Susan Stewart were Elin Betten, Laurel Darland, Raymond Hadley,
Austin Morgan and Brett Shull. Art teacher Katy Gray submitted additional Sharp Creek art from
Jozilynn Fleshood, Saige Martin and Tristen Sluss. Southwood Elementary’s entries were drawn by
Braylon Bassett, Ella Chambers, Harleigh Hiner, Avery Lovatto, Ryleigh Pulley and Alexis Rish and
submitted by art teacher Erica Tyson. Home-school entries, submitted by Charly Dye and Judy Ward,
were drawn by Asher Carpenter, Silas Carpenter, Tirzah Carpenter, Adi Chamberlain and
HannahWilliams. Additional Wabash Middle School art works, submitted by teacher Krys Martin, were
drawn by Chloe Cooper, Serenity Hubbard, Brianna Martin and Jaylen Watson. All county participants
receive recognition certificates, ribbons and art supplies. The annual awards ceremony was cancelled.
This is the 69 th year for the Symphony in Color project whose purposes are to encourage young
children to appreciate symphonic music; to encourage creative interpretation of music through visual
arts; to provide an opportunity for interdisciplinary study of the performing and visual arts; to increase
awareness of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and its role as a cultural leader in the state of
Indiana.
The Wabash Unit of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association was organized in 1939.
Administration of the local projects is organized by board members Kathleen Alspaugh, Susan Beckett,
Eileen Dye, Carolyn Eppley, Ana Gackenheimer, Lee Ann George, Kae Gifford, Posy Jasen, Susan Jones,
Minda Lehman, Elizabeth Macinata, Beth Perkins, Sheri Shanks, Suzanne Smith, Joyce Stallman, Judy
Ward and Mary Weaver. Dorotha Harvey is an honorary member. Local ISOA projects include co-
sponsorship with the Honeywell Foundation of the Honeywell House Christmas Open House,
sponsorship of third grade tours of the Honeywell House, and the Symphony in Color program, and
other fundraising events.