PHX Reporter

Brandon Berg, a Fine Arts alumnus of Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) and current music student at Arizona State University (ASU), is making significant strides in orchestral composition. For his senior capstone project at ASU, Berg composed, orchestrated, coordinated, and recorded a 40-piece orchestra in a one-day event held in April.

With volunteer musicians from ASU’s symphony orchestra and wind ensemble, Berg rehearsed and recorded woodwinds, brass, strings, and piano over four separate sessions spanning 12 hours. He also recorded the percussion portion on a different day. Currently in the early stages of mixing these recordings into one cohesive composition, Berg aims to create an immersive auditory experience for listeners.

“I’ve pushed the limits of everything I can do as an undergrad,” said Berg. His goal was not only to succeed but also to provide an educational experience for all volunteers involved.

The participants expressed their enjoyment of the project. Pianist Taison Roddy remarked, “I had a great time not only playing Brandon’s piece but also experiencing the inner workings of the studio for the first time. Everyone (including myself) was happy to be there and to contribute in any way they could.”

Chris Scinto, division chair of PVCC Fine and Performing Arts, explained that the project brought together faculty, staff, and students from three music programs: PVCC, ASU-Tempe, and ASU-Downtown. Scinto noted that faculty members Dr. Brett Reed and John Keenan were honored to participate as recording engineers and producers. "Brandon did a wonderful job communicating his ideas musically through his orchestral composition," Scinto added.

Berg has previously been recognized for his talent and leadership. In 2020 while at PVCC, he was selected to perform with the 2022 Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Musikverein in Vienna, Austria—a prestigious opportunity limited to top-rated instrumentalists aged 18-25 worldwide.

In 2021, Berg earned his Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts Music from PVCC. Last month he graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Popular Music as well as two Associate degrees from PVCC: one in Music Business and another in Audio Production Technologies. He plans to continue studying percussion at ASU while applying to the Screen Scoring Masters Program at the University of Southern California (USC). He intends to use his final score as part of his USC application and explore future job opportunities with it.

Reflecting on this endeavor's impact on him personally and professionally, Berg stated: “I am super grateful to everyone that was involved—from my instructors and mentors to my family and all of the volunteers who supported this crazy idea."