A blockbuster night: student orchestra plays back up for Latin Grammy-winning singer at album-release concert | FIU News [Video]

The students of the FIU Symphony Orchestra and concert choir intertwined reggaeton rhythms with classical instrumentation on Tuesday when they provided back up for Latin Grammy-winning artist Yandel.

It was part of a new collaboration between FIU’s Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts and Warner Music Latina. The parties came together on campus to celebrate the release of Yandel’s latest album, ELYTE, and created, for one night only, The ELYTE Symphony, which saw students take center stage at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center concert hall for what was billed as Reggaetón Sinfónico.

The Puerto Rican singing sensation used the evening to express his gratitude by announcing the ELYTE scholarship to support the next generation of musicians.

“This is what we do,” said Karen S. Veloz, Wertheim school director. “It was a night where the worlds of symphonic music and reggaeton collided in a magnificent performance under the direction of …