The St. Cecilia Music Center (SCMC) in Grand Rapids has welcomed Dr. Joel Schut, also the Director of Orchestras at Grand Valley State University, as the new conductor of the SCMC Philharmonic Orchestra. As part of SCMC’s School of Music ensemble program, Schut will lead weekly rehearsals, and prepare students to perform in full orchestras with SCMC.
SCMC was founded in 1894 in downtown Grand Rapids, and hosts two main performances each year. The music center brings together young musicians from different schools across West Michigan. Schut said that he is excited to join SCMC, and to extend the influence of the GVSU Department of Music, Theatre and Dance (MTD) to the broader community.
“I am really thrilled to lead them,” Schut said. “It’s a full orchestra experience. We will try to tackle some major works, some standards of symphonic tradition, as well as some new music.”
Schut added that SCMC’s youth program was his first full orchestra experience, and that he hopes his position at GVSU might influence SCMC students to pursue further education at GVSU, whether as music majors, minors or non-majors participating in MTD.
“I hope to create a meaningful and impactful first full orchestra experience for students that will inspire them to go on and continue making music,” Schut said.
Whether Schut’s SCMC students go on to participate in MTD at GVSU or another community orchestra in the future, Schut said he hopes they will be inspired to bring people together in the community.
“SCMC is a treasure in the community,” Schut said. “It is a beautiful space with (a) storied history. (It) has a vibrant current practice and an incredible outlook for continued growth and impact.”
Schut added that he thinks his work at SCMC will enrich his work in the GVSU Symphony Orchestra and vice versa. Schut feels this will, in turn, benefit the local community.
“I’m really thrilled to join (SCMC),” Schut said. “I think it works beautifully in consort with my roles (at GVSU), and I think we can continue to strengthen the bonds of community partnership and great teaching.”
While Schut is excited to join SCMC, he said that his work at GVSU is still very important and close to his heart.
“I love Grand Valley,” Schut said. “I love my colleagues (and) I love my students. I love how we can challenge each other and push our art form forward.”
Last year, the GVSU Symphony Orchestra commissioned two pieces that will be premiering in November 2024 and April of 2025. Schut said he is very proud of these pieces, and added that the University’s Symphony Orchestra has continued to grow in both numbers and quality of performances. Schut hopes his work with SCMC will continue to help grow and impact the GVSU Symphony Orchestra.
