PLAY.orchestra was a collaboration between Central Saint Martins, The Philharmonia and the South Bank Centre.
It recreated an empty orchestra pit of 60 seats. Passers-by could take the stage and experience a musical piece from the player's perspective. By taking a seat, the public triggered a recording of the correspondent musical instrument. As more people sat down, the composition was progressively revealed in its whole. Visitors could further engage with the piece through their mobile phones, by receiving ringtones of the experience they just created, or sending their own sounds via Bluetooth.
Close to 250,000 visitors over 6 weeks developed a greater understanding of music through the emotional & aesthetic reward of “playing“ in the orchestra. It transformed the space from a thoroughfare as ad hoc communities arose when strangers smiled, spoke & swapped seats/instruments. Hundreds of visitors came to participate & learn from weekly 'live events'. Musicians performed live, alongside the general public. Composers gave guided tours of their work. Animateurs demo’d instruments with musical games. Schools on educational trips learned about music from direct experience of PLAY.orchestra Many groups used PLAY.orchestra as a unique meeting point to commune & experience music.
It became a part of London you couldn’t resist interacting with, independent of cultural background.