Holiday Show:
Octave of Light
by Multiverse Concert Series
SATURDAy, December 20
3:00PM matinee and 7:30PM
Christa McAuliffe Center & Planetarium
Framingham State University
Experience Octave of Light, a planetarium concert of exoplanet music. This groundbreaking show takes audiences on an immersive journey across the stars, exploring distant worlds through sight, sound and live electrosymphonic music.
Live music by composer David Ibbett draws on research from the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian to translate distant planets and their chemistries into musical chords and melodies.
Immersive planetarium visuals, created by Ross Barros-Smith, Media Technology Artist at the Christa McAuliffe Center, powerfully connect us with the musical score.
Over the course of the show, audiences will learn a musical language of exoplanets as they explore gaseous, crystalline, and potentially life-bearing worlds throughout the cosmos.
3:00PM MATINEE - FAMILY SHOW
Ages 13+ = $45
Ages 3-12 = $30
7:30PM SHOW
Ages 13+ = $50
Musical Compositions
Wanderers
Water Romanza - NEW to this show!
Red Edge
featuring
David Ibbett
Composer and keyboards
David Ibbett, Ph.D. is a composer, educator, and musical advocate for science. Based in Boston, he directs the Multiverse Concert Series, and is a Professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Ibbett was the first Guest Composer at Fermilab in 2023 became the first Resident Composer at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. He composes electrosymphonic music: a fusion of classical and electronic styles that interweaves influences from songs, symphonies, pop, rock, and electronica. Musical strands are met with inspiration from the work of scientists: sonified data, musical metaphors for scientific concepts, and experimental sound and images from contemporary research. In all projects, he seeks a deep collaboration with musicians, scientists, artists, and performers.
Beth Sterling
Soprano
Beth Sterling is a vocalist and educator who works with children, teens, and adults. Beth believes that everyone can sing, and strives to help students of a wide range of vocal experiences and abilities experience the joy of music & build confidence through the improvement of vocal technique, musicianship, musical literacy, and artistry.
Beth has maintained voice studios privately and throughout the Boston area since 2013. Her students have progressed to colleges such as Eastman School of Music, and have placed in competitions such as NATS New England, the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, and Music International Grand Prix.
Beth has most recently performed with the Multiverse Concert Series at venues throughout the New England area, including the Boston Museum of Science, to promote the album Octave of Light, which she produced alongside composer Dr. David Ibbett.
Beth holds a Master of Music degree from Longy School of Music of Bard College, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Baldwin-Wallace University.
Ross Barros-Smith
Media Technology Artist
Alyson Rankin
Planetarium Presenter
Alyson Rankin researches, develops, and delivers live and interactive planetarium presentations for audiences of all ages. She has created new planetarium content through DigitalSky Dark Matter Planetarium Software to educate and inspire community members. After interning with the INTUITIVE Planetarium at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville AL, Alyson wanted to bring the planetarium magic back home with her to the McAuliffe Center! Alyson is constantly adding new content as it is released from ongoing earth-based and space-based missions. Her hallmark shows include tours of seasonal night sky objects and the solar system as well as special events such as Halloween Spooky Skies.
Alyson received her Bachelor’s of Science in Planetary Science from Purdue University and is eager to share her knowledge with the community. She hopes to engage the public in a meaningful and fun way to inspire more interest in space exploration and discovery.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Food/drink and strollers are not allowed in the Planetarium.
The McAuliffe Center is located at the rear of O’Connor Hall on the campus of Framingham State University. Enter the McAuliffe Center through O’Connor Parking Lot.
Disability Access: Our Center is an ADA-compliant space that includes a designated disability parking space at the front entrance, ramp access, and moveable seating that accommodates a wheelchair.
Parking
All vehicles parked on the FSU campus for this program require a valid FSU Parking Pass or the vehicle is subject to a parking ticket and tow at the owner’s expense. About one week before the event, you will receive a parking pass and an FSU campus map with parking information. Valid guest parking lots will be listed on your parking pass.
*If you purchased a ticket and did not receive a parking pass, please stop by the McAuliffe Center BEFORE you park your car to obtain a parking pass and additional parking information.
