The 2025-2026 Season ‘Art in Music’ program will be held virtually.  Artwork will be collected and digital copies made. Submissions for judging will be digital using .jpeg format and provided to the panel of member judges for review. All students’ physical copies will be collected at one time and will be on display during the spring family series concert “Heroes and Villains”, held at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta March 22, 2026. Finalists will include one winner, one runner-up, and one honorable mention from each grade. Finalists’ will receive recognition during the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra’s live performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber Arr. Custer Selections from the Phantom of the Opera.

Teacher Preparation

Read all materials thoroughly. The project should be completed over a 3-5 day period. Teachers will be provided with a summary of the piece of music. DO NOT tell the students the title of the musical selection. Teachers will also be given a list of some fun things for students to listen for in the music. 

Listen

Using good quality audio equipment, have students listen to Selections from the Phantom of the Opera. It is important to discuss the musical selection to provide students the opportunity to react to the music, not the title. Allow enough time for students to listen more than once to explore the emotions and thoughts that form in their minds.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Arr. Custer Selections from the Phantom of the Opera

Review

Review the listening and discussion topics found within this guide and allow students to reflect and plan their artwork.

Create

Since the competition emphasizes the work and interpretation of the individual, take care not to suggest ideas that might not ordinarily occur to the students on their own. Allow 3-5 days or whatever timeline fits your needs best for students to create their artwork. See guidelines below for specifics on size and media.

Timeline  

Discussion Topics

Encourage students to share whatever thoughts come to their minds while listening. What feelings, images, and memories does the music evoke? 

• Close your eyes as you listen. What colors, shapes, or images come to mind? 
• What words would you use to describe the music? 
• What does the music feel like? What emotions does the music inspire? 
• What do you imagine is happening?
• What story is the music telling?

Artwork Guidelines

Please follow the guidelines listed to ensure that artwork is created from a uniform set of criteria. All entries must be original work of an individual student. 

1	Artwork must be created on 12” x 18” paper.
2	Acceptable media include  paint, crayon, pencil, marker, pastels, or two-dimensional collage. No chalk or soft pastels please as they may smear. If using collage, use only firmly glued, flat materials. The art must be as flat as possible. Please limit the use of embellishments such as gemstones, beads, etc. that would add weight to the artwork.
3	Artwork must be mounted on white, lightweight poster board. Do not use white glue as it will warp the paper. Do not mount on foam board or cardboard.
4	Do not mat your artwork.
5	Do not laminate your artwork.
6	Student’s names should NOT appear on the front of the artwork. Please identify the artwork on the back of the artwork using the format files were submitted: Last name, First name – Grade #, Teacher (Example: Johnson, Erica – Grade 4, Smith)

Instructions for Submission

1	Scan or photograph students’ artwork.
2	Acceptable image file types are .jpg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tiff, .webp, .heic, .heif
3	Name the image file with the student’s Last name, First name, Grade #, Teacher i.e.:  JohnsonErica4Smith.png  (Note: Anonymous labeling will be created for unbiased judging)
4	Upload files to the folder on the Google Drive HERE ✅  or email your submission to acsorch@gmail.comPlease hold onto the originals after scanning! ALL artwork will be collected for display at the concert venue.

Judging

The students’ art will be judged by representatives of the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra..   

Prizes

One winner, one runner-up, and minimum one honorable mention will be chosen from each grade level (3-5). Each of the finalists will receive a Finalists’ Medal and a specialized certificate. All participants will receive certificates as well as having their artwork on display during the live performance.