LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Students at Waggener High School are part of a special collaboration with the Louisville Orchestra, creating something new the public will hear this spring.

The ensemble of Waggener orchestra students is rehearsing a new piece written by Louisville Orchestra's composer in residency, Tanner Porter.

"I have had the pleasure of coming into the classroom for the last couple of months and writing a piece with and for the students," Porter said. "It is for them. They are going to premiere it on one of their concerts."

On Friday, 24 students from Waggener practiced with the Louisville Orchestra, preparing a piece they'll perform at their spring concert May 10.

"It is really crazy," said Sophie Popham, a junior at Waggener. "It's super cool. It's an amazing experience."

Thomas Grisanti, director of the Waggener orchestra, said Porter is actively composing the piece with feedback from the students.

"Some of the earlier sessions that she came out were centered around the students, kind of telling her what they liked about pieces we've played, what they didn't like about some of the pieces we've played," Grisanti said.

No surprise, Grisanti said seeing and hearing his students collaborate with professionals is like music to his ears.

"It's been a dream come true for me," he said. "It's deeply, deeply humbling for me."

Friday was the fourth rehearsal, and Grisanti said the sights and sounds often cause a bit of nostalgia.

"Seeing my students play with the Louisville Orchestra and be awed by the things they can do with their instruments, it made me think of some of the amazing teachers I've had," he said.

It's also given some students confirmation about the future.

"Getting to meet with and talk to and get advice from the Louisville Orchestra musicians has been an incredible opportunity," Popham said. "I plan on going to U of L and pursuing a career in music education. I want to be a music teacher."

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