VCU Media Scoring Students Collaborate with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra
One of the most valuable experiences for a young composer is hearing music move from the computer and the page into the hands of real musicians.
This week, three of my VCU Media Scoring students — Henry Bingman, Deiandre Fernandez, and Isis Romine — had their original compositions rehearsed and recorded by the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, conducted by Jessica Altarriba.
Each student brought a very different musical idea to the orchestra. Their pieces explored imagery ranging from the peaceful reflection of the moon on the sea to the feeling of flying and freedom, as well as musical inspiration drawn from very different sources and transformed into something new.
But the experience went beyond simply hearing their compositions performed. The students were able to observe the rehearsal process, receive feedback, and hear how their music developed as the musicians worked through it.
As one student described it, it was especially rewarding to hear the orchestra “get better on it throughout the 20 minutes that they worked it.”
For composers working in film, games, and other visual media, experiences like this are incredibly valuable. Writing orchestral music in a DAW is one thing; hearing musicians interpret it in the room teaches lessons about orchestration, notation, communication, and performance that are difficult to replicate in the classroom.
And there was some exciting news at the end of the project: Henry Bingman’s composition was selected for performance at the RSYO concert on November 8, 2026.
A huge thank you to conductor Jessica Altarriba, Davey Van Beveren, Director of Education & Community Engagement, and all the musicians of the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for making this collaboration possible and for bringing our students’ music to life.
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