Engaging With Film and Video Game Music: Perceptions of a Studio Orchestra Experience

Haines investigates ensemble members’ perception of their studio orchestra experiences in a quantitative study of collegiate musicians. This study sparks further discussions about how a student-led studio orchestra construct can enhance musicians’ experience. Unlike most traditional collegiate orchestras, this particular study’s studio orchestra “collaborate, compose, arrange, record, and perform original compositions designed for film, video games, and other works from popular culture” (Haines, 2023, p. 1).

Haines’ study focused on a college studio orchestra ensemble that was formed by two graduate students. Undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff were welcome to join without any prerequisites or audition. The studio orchestra became “...A recognized student organization in the university and established a constitution with by-laws and procedures for operation” (Haines, 2023, p.3). A democratic vote was taken to elect students to their leadership team. In the summer of 2022, the studio orchestra held rehearsal and recording sessions over five weeks which culminated into a concert with student arrangements, official arrangements, and original compositions. Two original compositions were soundtracks performed alongside films in partnership with the university’s film department (Haines, 2023).

There are implications in this study of future music educators gravitating to such an ensemble format because they had a satisfactory experience. One participant commented, “By playing in the studio orchestra, I am exposed to music that I am not normally able to play during the normal school year. As a future music educator, I want my students to be able to have access to as much music genres and skills as they possibly can. Creating normalcy of a studio orchestra at a collegiate level is sure to melt down into high school and feeder programs. Orchestra as a whole is now, more than ever, in a transitionary state and creating and maintaining this new ensemble is essential to progression as far as music education goes” (Haines/survey response of Participant 1, 2023, p. 6). Another point to highlight is how the student leadership aspect cultivated greater motivation to do well and a seating rotation to allow musicians access to various musical parts. The original composition component to this ensemble was received well by most of the participants. As an educator, this format (including composition) gives musicians opportunity to perform, lead as participants, and compose/create new works to be performed and commented on by peers.

An orchestra with positive and/or productive protocols in place can shape how musicians feel about their music-making in the future. As I reflect on the orchestra experiences I’ve had in my grade-school, undergraduate, and graduate school years, I come to realize that I did not have many opportunities (besides quartets or small ensembles) to take leadership roles. I see the allure of performing popular music, video game music, and film music. However, the participation of these studio musicians is of great interest. The studio musicians in this study seem to engage more with each other and because their experience was different compared to their traditional orchestra experience, these future educators see greater possibilities in their future orchestra programs.