UK Virtual Orchestra Puts You in Conductor's Stand

A London museum is putting the conductor's baton in visitors' hands, allowing guests to direct a virtual orchestra using three-dimensional motion sensors.

The "Universe of Sound" installation is an effort by the British capital's Science Museum to dissect how classical music is made, using specially shot footage, immersive sound, and 360 degree projections to give an unusually close-up view of the well-regarded Philharmonia Orchestra.  Read More

Video: 'Nessun Dorma' Played on the Theremin

Who needs human tenors? In this video, the Canadian Thereminist Peter Pringle performs "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's Turandot.

This Theremin, Pringle explains on the video, once belonged to Julius Goldberg, the partner and personal assistant of Russian inventor Leon Theremin.  Watch the video!!

Stefon Harris: There are no mistakes on the bandstand

What is a mistake? By talking through examples with his improvisational Jazz quartet, Stefon Harris walks us to a profound truth: many actions are perceived as mistakes only because we don't react to them appropriately.

Stefon Harris plays the vibraphone -- and leads a jazz ensemble with a collaborative sound built on collective inspiration. Watch the video.

Singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau has died

Berlin - The singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau has died in the Bavarian mountains near Starnberg, shortly before his 87th Birthday, as his wife, Julia Varady announced. The "singer of the century" Fischer-Dieskau was regarded as probably the most important representatives of romantic lieder singing. He also made it as an opera singer, music teacher and aspiring novelist.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau sings Schubert - Der Erlkönig (Video)

Library Materials Due!!

Library materials that students have been using for the semester are officially due TODAY, May 16th! These do not include shorter-term loan materials such as OhioLINK, ILL, reserve, periodicals, and recordings which have their own specific due dates. You can see everything you have checked out to you, and when it is due, by viewing your library record.

Finally, remember to be sure you return all the parts for chamber music!!

All the best at this busy time!

A Right to Sing the Blues

From the NYTimes:

Jimmy Williams has been photographing elderly blues musicians. He portrays these masters of the blues — and life — in a way that elevates them to their rightful place in American music.  Read more and check out the photos!