Concerto for Audience

A concerto is a musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra. Concerto for Audience is a participatory piece inviting an audience and orchestra to make music together in performance. Western classical music is typically not participatory. This piece expands the classical music experience by giving the audience a role in making music. Each movement focuses on a different way in which the audience can make music. __(insert concert guide’s name)__ will teach the audience their musical parts before each movement is performed. During the performance, there will be a conductor for the audience on stage to guide you through the performance. Concerto for Audience intends to connect audiences and musicians through a creative cultural experience. It strives to transform the concert experience making classical music engaging and approachable for everyone. Happy music-making! This piece began as a student collaboration at Michigan State University between teaching artist James Brinkmann, composers Spencer Arias, Evan Snyder, and Elena Specht, conductors Evan Harger and Joe Hodge, and the MSU Concert Orchestra. Concerto for Audience will continue to grow as any orchestra performing it is encouraged to commission a local composer to write a new movement that includes participatory activities. This new movement will be added to the collection of Concerto for Audience. It becomes a consortium of movements by a variety of composers that can be mixed and matched to become a “choose your own adventure” for every performance.