Students create local impact through experiential learning
The orchestra visited a recording studio where they
worked with composer Hugo Bombardier to bring the piece to life.
Schut said that with the use of click track, a tool that uses audio
cues to synchronize recordings, his conducting role was different.
He said the student performers collaborated well with feedback from
the composer and orchestrator.
“Students really rose to the occasion,” Schut said.
“It’s an experience that we don't often have access to in the
university setting, but it is definitely a part of our industry and
a part of performing arts.”
Aveline Schienke and Andrew Kales, co-concert masters
and violinists, said the experience was one they would take with
them into their careers.
Schienke, who graduates at the end of the winter 2026
semester with a degree in music performance, said her time with the
orchestra set the standard and helped guide her into a prospective
career as a performer.
“This specific project is a once-in-a-lifetime type of
thing, so it was really cool to have a hand in that,” Schienke said.
“I will probably have things like that coming up in the future as well.”
Kales, who is graduating with a degree in music
education, initially did not want to pursue music while at Grand
Valley because he was worried he would lose his passion for music.
But he slowly invested himself into the program, joining the
orchestra and ultimately integrating music into his major.
Kales said he took a lot away from the experience of
recording the theme for the amphitheater, including those he would
apply to the classroom. He said the experience taught him to cherish
the moment, and he hopes to apply that to help avoid things like
burnout in his career.
“It's really important to make as many moments as
special as you can and really appreciate the really cool stuff you
do. It keeps you going,” Kales said.
He said he is excited to tell his future students that
they hear him playing when they attend performances at the amphitheater.
Since recording in the studio, the orchestra has
performed the piece in concert to commemorate the work of the school
year thus far. Schut also received a preview, listening to a draft
of the theme.
“Hearing it all together and really masterfully mixed
and balanced, I think students are going to be really excited and
really proud of what we did,” Schut said.
“Grand Valley is a leader in our community…we invest in
students and their potential. Experience is the teacher.”
On Friday, the Acrisure Amphitheater released the
signature song to the public. You can listen to the orchestra’s
performance below.
