This story caught my attention for two reasons. First, I’m passionate about music and the positive impact it has on people’s lives. Second, it’s a great example of using social media to help musicians be part of a global community and find others who share their interest.
Ninety finalists have won spots in the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. These professional and amateur musicians come from 30+ countries and territories on six continents.
Auditions were online and involved several stages. Candidates first submitted a video performance of a piece by Chinese composer Tan Dun. (He composed the music for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.) A panel of judges containing members from some of the world’s most renowned orchestras did the initial vetting and narrowed the field from 3,000 down to 200. Then after a round of voting by the global YouTube community, project artistic advisor and San Franciso Symphony Orchestra Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas selected the finalists.
Tan Dun talks about the project in this short clip:
The winners will meet in New York in mid-April to participate in a collaborative summit on classical music. It concludes with a performance at Carnegie Hall. You can view the winning audition videos and follow these musicians on their road to Carnegie Hall on the You Tube Symphony Orchestra Channel.
