Lake Michigan has long served as an inspiration for artists across various disciplines, from visual arts to music and literature. Continuing this tradition, the Black Moon Trio recently premiered Lakenotes: Seasons of Lake Michigan at Ravinia. This multi-dimensional event is a tribute to the enigmatic beauty of Lake Michigan, expressed through music, poetry, and videography.
The performance took place at Ravinia on August 2, 2026. It featured contributions from a collaborative team of artists: visual artist Lincoln Schatz, video editor Dylan Connell, composer Stacy Garrop, and poet Kathryn Haydon. The musical performances were delivered by Jeremy Vigil on piano, Khelsey Zarraga on violin, and Parker Nelson on horn.
According to Erik Soderstrom, the senior director of programming at Ravinia, Lakenotes explores the ever-changing nature of the lake, not only through the seasons but also capturing its variations weekly, daily, and hourly. “Seeing the lake reflected in music, words, and images reminds us of the intimate connection we share with it,” Soderstrom remarked.
The event was described as a unique artistic journey forged by the collaboration of three artists, each approaching the project through their unique creative lens. Poet Kathryn Haydon encapsulated the lake’s moods with her words, while visual artist Lincoln Schatz conveyed the lake’s vast color range through dynamic videography and photography. Stacy Garrop composed a contemporary chamber piece that mirrors the natural rhythms and soundscape of Lake Michigan’s seasons.
This contemporary collaboration resulted in a rich multi-sensory performance. Parker Nelson, the director of arts and administration for the Black Moon Trio, mentioned how the trio curated and structured the musical aspect of the program, neatly integrating the various artistic contributions.
The concert took advantage of Ravinia’s recently renovated Sandra K. Crown Theater, a space that now supports multimedia performances, allowing for an immersive audience experience. The core musical piece, Tracing Waves Across a Year by Stacy Garrop, was a co-commission by Ravinia and the Black Moon Trio. It was presented alongside other works such as Mainframe Tropics by Mason Bates, Horn Trio by Carson Cooman, and Probuzení Perel (Awakening of Pearls) by Jiří Pazour.
Stacy Garrop noted that it was Kathryn Haydon’s book, Unsalted Blue Sunrise: Poems of Lake Michigan (2023), which inspired her when composing Tracing Waves Across a Year. “The poetry’s form led me to craft musical forms – autumn clouds under a brooding sky or churning waves turned into sound, and even the lake’s winter freeze mirrored in slow string slides surrounded by silence,” Garrop explained.
Joanna Rolek, executive director of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, attended the performance and expressed surprise at the emotional impact it had on her. She found herself fascinated by how the music captured the lake’s rhythmic flow.
Nelson highlighted how the show blended auditory and visual elements with ecological themes. It even included live musical improvisation, creating a unique atmosphere on stage. “Improvising directly from Schatz’s photographs offered us a new creative avenue,” Nelson said.
Kathryn Haydon expressed her belief in Lake Michigan’s deep connection with those living in Chicago, especially on its northern shore. “For many, it evolves beyond being a visual reference, becoming a partner and participant in life’s conversations,” Schatz added.
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