2017 DESIGN CHALLENGE

The Challenge:

ENGAGE UNTAPPED AUDIENCES IN ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

Throughout the experience, there’s a heightened level of connectedness between audience member, musician and music inspired by certain cues intentionally planted throughout the venue. For example, there was a closer physical proximity between musician and audience (two of the ‘stages’ were at floor level marked by some colorful spotlights). Musicians wore bubble necklaces — yes, necklaces that you can blow bubbles from — so that while they were not performing, audience members could ask them questions such as: “what’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin?” Propped at the foot of each musician was a sign with the musician’s name and instrument that they were playing, so as to familiarize the audience with who and what they were listening to. The musicians would informally introduce each piece just before playing it, and the audience was invited to cheer loudly while the musicians were playing.

Toward the end of the night, the crowd was drawn to the main stage by the Klezmer Band, complete with people whooping and clapping and dancing (as best they could) to the beat. And to cap the night, all musicians joined together from wherever they stood to play “In C” together.