Arts News

YouTube Symphony holds first rehearsal

Apr 14, 2009, 14:57 GMT

Part of the orchestra is reflected in a tuba during their first rehearsal with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra at the Julliard School in New York City, New York, USA, 13 April 2009. The orchestra made up of musicians from over 30 countries will perform a concert at Carnegie Hall on 15 April. EPA/STEPHEN CHERNIN

New York - The YouTube Symphony Orchestra, made up of 90 outstanding musicians chosen via online audition videos they posted on YouTube.com, held its first rehearsal Monday in New York ahead of its official debut Wednesday night at New York's Carnegie Hall.

The orchestra was selected by its artistic advisor Michael Tilson Thomas, and the programme will include works by Gabrieli, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Villa Lobos and John Cage.

The orchestra is believed to be the world's first selected entirely through online auditions. The project was launched in December 2008, and more than 3,000 professional and amateur musicians posted their auditions online. The YouTube Symphony Orchestra's channel (www.YouTube.com/Symphony) has received more than 14 million views worldwide.

'Suddenly we are able to see each other after seeing our videos before,' orchestra member Luna Serenata said in a YouTube posting. 'I have been able to meet wonderful people. It's amazing to meet these people from all over the world and see how united we can become through the language of music.'