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McCallum Student Wins Art Contest

December 1, 2010
  • Who: Austin Symphony Orchestra
  • What: Centennial Art Competition Winner

The Austin Symphony Orchestra (Austin, TX) is proud to announce the winner of its Centennial Art Competition. With over 30 entries from Austin Independent School District high school students, judges picked “Take My Music,” by Emma Brotherton. Miss Brotherton is a 9th grade student of Carol Beth Torrance at McCallum High School.

Emma Brotherton and the McCallum High School will receive an honorarium in support of the school’s art activities. Miss Brotherton’s work of art will also be featured on the cover of the Austin Symphony’s Centennial Celebration commemorative program that will accompany the orchestra’s Centennial Gala Concert on April 28, 2011, featuring violinist Itzhak Perlman.

Works of art in a variety of mediums were received by the Austin Symphony, from watercolors to collage and multimedia. Miss Brotherton’s painting is of an abstract cello in warm yellows and oranges.

The Austin Symphony had a desire to expand on its decades-long partnership with Austin ISD and hold an art competition where AISD art students could submit ideas for the ASO’s Centennial Celebration. Entrants were given “The Cello” as the subject of their work. The ASO chose to use the cello to symbolize its 100 year history. Utilized in the ASO’s seasonal imagery is a cello that was played at the first Austin Symphony concert in 1911 by Carl T. Widen. Mr. Widen continued to play with the orchestra for over 30 years and served as the Society’s second President in 1941. The cello now has a cherished place in the home of his daughter, Anna Marie Speir, a member of the ASO Board of Directors.