FSU College of Music Partners with Metropolis Ensemble for Sarah Kirkland Snider’s New Orchestral Album
Assistant Professor of Harp and Entrepreneurship Noël Wan and Music Recording faculty Wellington Gordon recently participated in a high-profile recording collaboration on the debut orchestral album from acclaimed composer Sarah Kirkland Snider.
The album, Forward Into Light, was released through New Amsterdam/Nonesuch Records and performed by the New York City-based Metropolis Ensemble under the direction of Andrew Cyr. The project highlights the FSU College of Music’s growing footprint in the global music industry, utilizing the university’s premier recording facilities to bridge the gap between academic excellence and professional production.
The collaboration began in early 2025 when Andrew Cyr tapped Wan to serve as the harp soloist for the project. Wan, an internationally recognized soloist, is featured prominently throughout the album, most notably as the soloist on the second track, “Drink the Wild Ayre.”
To accommodate the geographic distance and maintain the high standards of the GRAMMY-winning engineering team, the project utilized a sophisticated remote recording setup at the FSU College of Music Recording Studio.
“This collaboration reflects the consistently excellent reputation of our faculty and facilities,” said Wan. “Professor Gordon knew exactly how to mic a harp and capture its best sound—which is no easy task—and was able to jump right into the remote collaboration with Metropolis’ engineering team.”
The session was led by Gordon, who served as the on-site engineer. Working in tandem with GRAMMY-winning engineer Mike Tierney in New York, the team used real-time streaming software to collaborate across state lines.
The project also served as a vital “real-world” laboratory for FSU students. Tyler Berman, a junior Commercial Music major, gained firsthand experience in a professional, high-stakes recording environment while assisting with the tracking process.
“The techniques used by Professor Gordon – as well as getting to Zoom call with the project producer live while working on the project – were amazing,” said Berman. “I really got a sneak peek of how amazing the synergy in the recording process can be, even across time zones.”
Aided by the studio’s specialized acoustics—perfectly suited for post-production and film score-style tracking, the session was defined by significant technical and strategic highlights, including the use of Audio Movers software to stream high-fidelity audio for real-time collaboration with the technical director in NYC.
“Having opportunities to do these collaborations allows students to experience how real-world processes act out,” said Gordon. “I can talk about production scenarios, but doing it in front of them makes a deep impression.”
For the College of Music, this project underscores the “research power” of its performance faculty. By integrating professional industry projects into the campus environment, FSU continues to set a benchmark for music education and commercial music production.
“Collaborating with Metropolis Ensemble provided our faculty and students with an impactful professional opportunity to experience the preparation, technology, and business partnerships necessary for success in today’s marketplace,” said Associate Dean of Engagement Greg Jones. “The College places a high value on engagement with all sectors of the music industry. I cannot think of a better learning situation than this pairing of a Grammy-nominated ensemble with our world-class FSU music faculty.”
Forward Into Light is now available on all major streaming platforms and through Nonesuch Records.
