Florida State University’s College of Music and Department of Mathematics are combining art and science with two family-friendly educational events happening on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Sing with the Symphony will take place from 10:30–11:45 a.m. at the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall while FSU Math Fun Day will be from 1-5 p.m. at the Love Building at FSU.
“As we gather for these exciting events, we celebrate the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to inspire and innovate,” said Iain Quinn, professor of organ, festival director and FSU’s research fellow in the arts and humanities. “These events are a testament to the incredible talent and creativity within our community, and we are excited to share this experience with everyone.”
Sing with the Symphony
This annual performance includes a new work for audience and orchestra participation suitable for all ages. The theme this year is math, and the performance features a piece, “The Mathematician’s Patterns,” composed by student Justine de Saint Mars, based on a text by English mathematician G.H. Hardy.
The program will also include selections from the clarinet concerto by English composer Gerald Finzi, featuring faculty clarinetist Deborah Bish, as well as the local premiere of the final movement of William Dawson’s “Negro Folk Symphony.”
The University Symphony Orchestra will perform the full program Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
FSU Math Fun Day
FSU Math Fun Day, hosted by the Department of Mathematics, will feature hands-on math activities and demonstrations suitable for K-12 students.
“We have lots of activities to show that math is a lot of fun,” said Monica Hurdal, Math Fun Day director and a professor of biomathematics. “Math is not just worksheets, it can be a very hands-on subject with lots of visuals and fun activities. A lot of math is trying to teach problem-solving and thinking of things spatially. Math Fun Day encourages different ways of thinking, and that’s what mathematics is all about.”
These events are part of FSU’s Festival of the Creative Arts, a campuswide celebration of creativity and collaboration. Both events are open to the public, open to all ages and free of charge.
For more information, visit research.fsu.edu/fca.