Ryan Bramson and Anna Schmidt performed Tuesday night at Heinz Hall alongside the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. 

The event, called the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Student Side-By-Side, aims to help young, aspiring musicians improve their skills and to give them a real-world experience. 

“I met a bunch of experienced musicians throughout rehearsals and they shared some really nice tips with me,” Bramson, a senior percussionist, said. 

Schmidt, a junior who plays the trumpet,  said she had a wonderful time because she got to meet with the PSO group. 

“The experience helped me to improve a little bit and to learn what they do and how they practice,” Schmidt said. 

Playing on the big stage was an important opportunity for the students and their families. 

“I could see how proud and happy they felt being in the audience,” Bramson said. “I applied so I could get myself out there. This being my senior year, it was a nice way to wrap up my high school band experience.” 

Music teacher Marissa Virgin commended both students for the amount of work they put into their performances. 

“It is very impressive that they got in. The two students had to describe their musical resume in and out of school to be eligible and many people were rejected. They rehearsed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, which was much a more challenging level of music than they would usually participate in,” Virgin said.