In commemoration of Laumeier’s 40th anniversary, UMSL seniors Resilda Lala, on flute, and Chad Pleasant, on violin, performed July 16 alongside fellow UMSL musicians. The surrounding art exhibition, inside the Adam Aronson Fine Arts Center at Laumeier, is by artist Gigi Scaria. (Photo by Leah Jones/The Current)

When “The Laumeier Sculpture Park Anthem” premiered during the park’s 40th anniversary celebration earlier this summer, it was University of Missouri–St. Louis musicians bringing the song to life.

The anthem and six additional compositions by UMSL faculty member Barbara Harbach were performed for the first time July 16 during the event, which also featured the talents of two of Harbach’s Department of Music colleagues, Gail Fleming and Jim Henry, as well as UMSL students.

The Current’s features editor, Leah Jones, was on hand to document the musical festivities, which dovetailed with Harbach and Henry’s current partnership as artists-in-residence with Laumeier. A second performance is set for 11 a.m. Oct. 15.

“The performance this summer was really cool,” said Laumeier’s marketing and communications manager, Lauren Kistner. “We had never really done anything like that before, so we weren’t sure exactly what to expect or how the details would all shake out. The fall performance will be part of the 2016 St. Louis Arts Experience. We’re still working on some of the logistics, but we’re planning to have the performance outside at the park, weather permitting.”

To read Jones’ full feature on the celebration in The Current, UMSL’s independent student newspaper, click here.