Performing arts students from around the globe will use cutting-edge technology to virtually perform together at the Royal College of Music (RCM).
Dancers from the museum of contemporary arts, Barcelona (MACBA) and traditional Nordic instrumentalists from the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, will join the performance with musicians from the RCM via live video links.
This collaboration is made possible by Jisc, the UK charity for education and research. Jisc will be streaming the performance via its Janet network, using very low latency audio and visual technology which means it can broadcast video in real time from different international locations without delays. The performance is an innovative and cross-disciplinary event in which visual poetry, new music and choreography will combine with pioneering digital design and projection technology to explore award-winning writer Peter Cox’s original narrative, The Infinite Bridge.
Michael Ladouceur, a Masters student at the Royal College of Music, who is co-executive producer and one of three young composers on the project, said: “These technologies have allowed us to create a unique performance environment, changing not only the way we write music, but also the way it is perceived. Along with my fellow music collaborators, RCM MA student composers, Mari Sainio and Sam Jones, I can say we’re immensely excited to be creating a new kind of artwork for the 21st century.”
Emma Smith, Jisc video projects coordinator added: “The role of digital technology in further and higher education is growing. Thanks to our high-speed network Jisc is helping the Royal College of Music to shape the way music is taught, rehearsed and performed.
“We are very excited to be working with the RCM to deliver this performance and demonstrate how the power of technology can be used to remove traditional geographical constraints and help transform the performing arts landscape.”
The performance is a part of the annual network performing arts production workshop (NPAP) which is being held in the UK this year at the Royal College of Music on 4-6 May.