Brian Pertl and other members of the Music Education Team engage with passengers on the Mile of Music Bus.
Brian Pertl and other members of the Music Education Team engage with passengers on the Mile of Music Bus. (Photos by Danny Damiani)

Lawrence University was once again front and center as Mile of Music took over downtown Appleton for four music-filled days and nights.

The 10th edition of the all-original music festival drew huge crowds beginning Aug. 3 and continuing through Aug. 6. There were more than 700 live music sets at 40 venues on or near a one-mile stretch of College Avenue.

Lawrence was there throughout—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends leading the interactive Music Education sessions, Lawrence hosting performances at four campus venues, the Decoda Chamber Music Festival participants performing throughout the weekend, and Lawrence alumni performing among the 200-plus musical acts.

Decoda kicked off the festival with the opening performance late Thursday morning, held at Memorial Chapel. That set the stage for a full weekend, with a steady run of performances in the chapel, in Harper Hall, and on the outdoor main stage set up on Main Hall Green. Festivalgoers could take in dozens of performances without ever leaving the Lawrence campus. 

The Music Education Team, a tradition going strong since the first Mile in 2013, continues to be led by Lawrence faculty and staff, joined by students and alumni. Interactive music education events were held on the stage of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, in Heid Music, and on the lawn outside Lawrence's Music-Drama Center. The music educators even took to the Mile of Music Bus on Friday evening, bringing that enthusiasm for music-making to new audiences.

Lawrence multimedia specialist Danny Damiani captured images from the exciting weekend. See photos below and a full photo gallery here. 

Decoda Chamber Music Festival musicians perform at Memorial Chapel.
Decoda Chamber Music Festival musicians perform at Memorial Chapel. It was the performance that launched the festival on Thursday morning.
The band Heavy Heavy performs on the stage set up on Main Hall Green.
Lawrence's Main Hall Green served as one of three outdoor main stages throughout Mile of Music. Here, the band Heavy Heavy performs.
South For Winter performs in Harper Hall.
South for Winter was among the bands playing at Harper Hall. The trio would later perform at Memorial Chapel.
Sprig of That, featuring alumni Isabel Dammann ’17 (second from left) and Ilan Blanck ’17 (right), play at Memorial Chapel.
Sprig of That, featuring alumni Isabel Dammann ’17 (second from left) and Ilan Blanck ’17 (right), play at Memorial Chapel during Mile of Music. Mikey Marget '18 (left) joined as well.
Drumming and dance from Ghana was among the Music Education Team workshops held at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.
Drumming and Dance from Ghana was among the Music Education Team workshops held at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.
Buffalo Rose performs at Memorial Chapel.
Buffalo Rose performs at Memorial Chapel.
Members of Decoda perform at Memorial Chapel.
Decoda performs at Memorial Chapel.
Mug of Ed Berthiaume

Ed Berthiaume is director of public information at Lawrence University.

Email
ed.c.berthiaume@lawrence.edu