Photo courtesy of the George family
2015: An Orchestral Odyssey
What happens when a symphony takes on modern technology?
Tune up your Twitter accounts and warm up your computers for the Westerville Symphony’s upcoming Gavin George – Live on Your Screen! performance.
On Oct. 11, the symphony will kick off its 2015-16 Ron Lykins Masterworks Series with a performance aiming to incorporate modern technology while still appealing to traditional audiences.
The performance, featuring 12-year-old Granville piano prodigy Gavin George, will not only be available for live streaming, but will also feature a Twitter feed shown on a large screen to the side of the orchestra.
“For this concert, we’re going to encourage audience members to have their phones out,” says Sean Brewster, the symphony’s executive director. “The goal is to bring in a more relaxed environment.”
Orchestral music often conjures an image of tradition and history. Concerts are silent and respectful, entirely focused on the performers. For younger audiences raised with social networks and constant access to information, this can create a cultural divide.
Live on Your Screen will attempt to appeal to the audience by making the performance readily available online and providing an atypical concert environment. A PNC Arts Alive grant received last year is being used to fund the live stream and Twitter feed screen.
The Twitter element will allow audience members to stay social and give comments throughout the performance. A screen will show tweets by viewers, both live and online, and possibly even pre-prepared tweets by the conductor and performers.
Photo courtesy of Westerville Symphony
2015: An Orchestral Odyssey
The feed can be used to give information about the music with which audience members would otherwise be unaware.
“We’re always trying to break down barriers between the symphony and audience,” says Brewster.
George, who plays a key role in the concert, began studying piano at age 3 and, nine years later, has been referred to as “child prodigy” on more than one occasion.
Not only does George have incredible talent, Brewster says, he’s also helping to bring a fresh image to orchestral music, making him a perfect fit for this unique concert.
Appealing to a broader audience isn’t the only goal of the Live on Your Screen performance. The live stream will allow those who do not attend to hear and see the music as it’s happening.
The live stream will also be able to pull in some far-flung members of George’s fan base, as he has established an international audience with performances in countries such as Italy and Luxembourg.
“It’s a good way for us to bring this amazing concerto performance to people who wouldn’t be able to see it otherwise,” says George.
The symphony hopes to have the live stream online when the concert starts, with the video available on YouTube after the performance.
Those at the concert shouldn’t be concerned about any interference from the technological component. Distraction is a huge concern, Brewster says, and the symphony will take care to implement the technology tastefully.
“I don’t want (the technology) to distract from the wonderful music taking place,” he says.
The Twitter feed screen will be placed to the side of the orchestra, away from the performers, to avoid inadvertently attracting the attention of performers or audience members more interested in watching the show.
George is not concerned by the prospect of the screen unduly gaining his notice.
“My focus will remain on creating beautiful music with the orchestra for the audience,” he says.
Though Westerville won’t be the first symphony to experiment with these modern elements, it is rare for an orchestra of its size to incorporate them.
“Our main goal is to bring in a younger audience while still appealing to our traditional audience,” says Brewster.
Gavin George – Live on Your Screen! takes place Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. in Otterbein University’s Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall. Visit www.westervillesymphony.org for tickets and more information.
Cameron Carr is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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