There has been a lot of controversy regarding virtual orchestras, and its implications for society, art and culture. However, it is quite easy to see that there is a tremendous upswelling of interest, research, and creative activity in the virtual orchestra in all its guises.
Hopefully, this site can perform a small service in helping to clarify to all interested parties its many meanings and practitioners.
14 December, 2006 Robo-Music Gives Musicians the Jitters
Despite overwhelmingly positive response, musician unions still demonize the term and the art form. This article discusses several exciting technology platforms and organizatiosn involved in development. (Identical articles in Christian Science Monitor and USA Today).
12 December, 2006 Virtual Music Masterclasses are being offered to children across Scotland.
Using state-of-the-art video conferencing, the BBC Symphony Orchestra will to reach school children in Barra, Islay, Dumfries, Lewis, and Orkney.
12 December, 2006 - LA Ballet Produces "Nutcracker" with a combination of live and virtual players
Using Garritan Personal Orchestra, The LA Ballet has produced this season's production of "A nutcracker" using 22 acoustic musicians and filling in the rest (33) with a virtual orchestra.
Here is the story on the Garritan website.
28 October, 2006 - Interview with Computer Game Composer Michael McCann
October 26, 2006 - Composer Michael McCann is the latest musician to tackle the digitized world of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. McCann was in charge of crafting the immersive and diverse in-game score for Splinter Cell Double Agent.
26 October, 2006 - Nintendo's Wii game controller to be released in November, 2006
Starting from today, I'd like to deliver a unique (perhaps unprecedented) series of interviews explaining the vision behind Wii, our revolutionary new console. Over the course of the next few weeks we will hear from those who were actually involved in the development of this console.
16 October, 2006 - Rogers and Hammerstein and Realtime Music Solutions Announce New Products to Enhance Live Performances of Classic Musicals
New York - The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and Realtime Music Solutions proudly announced today the creation of two new products to enhance and support live performances of classic musicals, from rehearsal room to the theatre. AccompanEase and InstrumentalEase are two new groundbreaking computer based systems that will assist in the rehearsal and performance of great musicals from the R&H Theatricals catalogue.
Press Release is here
10 October, 2006 - Serious Games Summit conference
The conference, which will take place from Monday, October 30 through Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA, will include multiple sessions focusing on a wide variety of topics.
The event will feature a number of keynotes and sessions, including gameLAB researcher Roberto Dillon's session titled “A Virtual Orchestra Game for Introducing Children to Music”.
9 October, 2006 - Sydney Sinfonietta education program annual competition uses virtual orchestra to allow web visitors to arrange their own music creation.
