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Crowdsourcing Music: YouTube Goes to the Symphony

Frederic Lardinois — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:33:36 -0800

After holding auditions in December and announcing the finalists last month, the YouTube Symphony Orchestra has now released the first product of its efforts. Tonight, the 90 members of the orchestra will perform live at New York's Carnegie Hall, but this morning, the project released a mash-up video that features all the finalists, who perform the world premiere of a specially commissioned piece by Tan Dun.

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]]> For this project, Google received close to 3,000 submissions from musicians all over the world, and the finalists come from over 30 countries, six continents, and play 26 different instruments. Google invited all the finalists to come to New York, where they have been preparing for tonight's performance at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, the Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony. Video from tonight's event should be available on YouTube tomorrow.

You can also watch videos from a few of the participating musicians, as well as other videos from the auditions and practice sessions in New York on the custom YouTube Symphony channel.

And now for something completely different...

Of course, if classical music isn't quite your thing, you can also check out these brilliant remixes from Kutiman, who takes the whole YouTube mash-up concept to a different level.

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YouTube Music Announces Symphony Orchestra Finalists

Phil Glockner — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:00:00 -0800

Four months and hundreds of recorded submissions after we first reported on the YouTube Global Symphony, over 90 cream-of-the-crop hopefuls have been selected to participate in a classical music summit and grand performance at Carnegie Hall next month. The winners were announced today on the YouTube Blog.

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]]> YouTube presents the winning submissions with a custom new flash interface on their Symphony channel. There, you can choose which section of the orchestra you want to see videos of, or switch over to the videos YouTube created exclusively for the channel. Of course, you can then click on any video you like to favorite or comment on it. YouTube Music promises to keep the channel fresh with videos of the winners and the summit next month.

After watching quite a few of the performers, we know that (unlike with American Idol hopefuls), this crew really knows their stuff. Under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, all signs point to the concert being a treat. Plus, it is an unprecedented opportunity for talented musicians from all over the world to meet each other and their mentors - as well as being a resume highlight once it is complete.

Stay tuned for the grand finale, the Symphony Orchestra performance at Carnegie Hall. We are certain it will look (and sound) amazing when broadcast via YouTube HD.

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Join the YouTube Global Symphony, Play Carnegie Hall

Rick Turoczy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:39:52 -0800

Always wanted to play in a symphony? Here's your chance - without even leaving your living room. YouTube has just announced the "world's first collaborative online orchestra" - the YouTube Symphony Orchestra - a one-of-a-kind experiment that provides individual musicians with an opportunity to collaborate with other musicians all over the world.

But that's not all. If you play well enough, show some creativity, and exude passion, you may find yourself seated in the famed Carnegie Hall, performing live with other YouTube musicians.

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The contest is open to all musicians over age 14, regardless of instrument or skill. But it's not going to be easy. It's going to take some practice.

To begin, download the sheet music and start learning your part. The music? You get to pick your favorite classical piece to showcase your talent. And you'll also have the opportunity to perform a new piece - "The Internet Symphony" - by Chinese composer Tan Dun, the Grammy and Oscar winning composer of the score for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

But you won't be practicing alone. YouTube will help you learn the music, rehearse, and upload your performance for the virtual symphony video. Along the way you'll gain insight from Tan Dun and the London Symphony Orchestra, and get tips from pianist Lang Lang. Rest assured, all of your hard work and practice will pay off, culminating in a unique YouTube concert composed of users from around the globe.

If you perform well enough, there may be more in store for you. Musicians who exhibit that certain je ne se quois will get the opportunity to perform at the renowned Carnegie Hall, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony.

Submissions are open until January 28, 2009. The live performance in Carnegie Hall will be held in April 2009.

Now, would be a good time to start practicing.

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