Melbourne to NYC: a meeting of musical minds
A Yamaha Dislavier Piano
The next generation of music performance through information technology will be launched at an upcoming unique performance that will connect musicians in Melbourne and New York City.
Monash University’s School of Music – Conservatorium (SOM) is hosting a world-first event that will link two Yamaha Disklavier Pianos, one at the SOM and one at New York University (NYU), via the internet for a performance in real time.
Head of the SOM, Robert Burke, said that live performances will be replicated over the internet onto the second Disklavier highlighting the great possibilities of the National Broadband Network.
“This demonstration is interesting in itself, but it is the wide-ranging ramifications of the technology that are fascinating. It is paving the way for a whole new outlook on remote learning,” Mr Burke said.
“We can now seriously consider live concerts, master classes and lectures to a bigger network of regional areas, as well as to cities around the globe.”
An acoustic piano, the Disklavier uses optical sensors and electro-mechanical solenoids to record and replay the performers keystroke and pedal movements.
This performance will utilise the technology of the Disklavier system to link SOM staff and students with colleagues at NYU’s Department of Music, highlighting the immense possibilities of global collaboration and performance.
Introduced by Monash University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ed Byrne AO and facilitated by Mr Burke, the event’s visuals will be streamed live from the SOM to NYU using a state-of-the-art teleconferencing system.
“Professor Byrne’s speech will be followed by several performances at the SOM and NYU. There will then be a short masterclass, demonstrating the pedagogical possibilities of the technology,” Mr Burke said.
“At the NYU campus, 32 Monash students, along with 10 to 15 NYU students, will be interacting in the masterclass with students at the SOM.”
The SOM has worked on the technology for the Disklavier Launch in collaboration with the Monash e-Research Centre and the Faculty of Information Technology.
The Disklavier Launch will begin at 9.15am, Tuesday 10 July, in the School of Music – Conservatorium, Building 68, at Monash University’s Clayton campus. New York time is 14 hours behind.