Archive for January, 2007

The first event I attended in Second Life that really got the educational blood pumping was a “Live” music concert. I wasn’t really looking for anything in particular at the time; I just happened across the event listing, was already online, and figured I’d see what “Live” music was like in SL.

Arriving in the Nantucket Sim (which includes a sailing simulation) at the Nantucket Theater, I was impressed by the layout and familiarity of the facility; basically, if you’re going to a very small concert, it might be something you’d expect. It’s a small outdoor, grassy amphi-theater with wooden benches built into the small hillside. Of course, Louis Volare (in real life: Louis Landon) the performer is sitting on stage at the piano. Clicking on the Play Music button that appeared at the bottom of my screen started the music; sure, exactly what I expected… sort of.

I expected to listen to and hear music, but I figured it would be some sort of a simulation of a live concert. In retrospect, I guess I expected something along the lines of an MP3 or series of MP3′s playing as the performer appeared to perform on stage, and it would be really cool if the performer was actually the real-life composer and original artist of the music. I could not have been more wrong! And, once I realized what was actually going on, I was stunned, amazed, and completely mind-boggled; from the comfort of my living room couch, I was actually listening to LIVE MUSIC performed by the original artist. Probably the reaction folks had to television when it first hit the market, but there’s a bit more to this situation.

The RL (real-life) Louis Landon was sitting in his house in New York with his keyboard connected to a streaming media server via his PC; the stream he was creating was connected to the Nantucket Theater in SL (I still haven’t learned how exactly). So, when I clicked on my Play Music button while sitting in my house, I heard Louis playing his piano in real time, barring whatever X second delay may have occurred in the digital transmission of the music. This concert was created and enjoyed by individuals in their homes without the involvement of a broadcast station or trained professionals with skills unbelievably beyond what Louis or any audience member must have for this social transaction to be meaningful. That’s not your (or your Dad’s) first television! And, to me, this much of the story already presents a pretty amazing use of technology. But there’s more still.

This concert peaked at 51 concurrent audience members; collectively, the audience represented Holland, England, Canada and at least six U.S. States. While Louis played, audience members enjoyed the music and were able to quietly chat via text messages; the discussion included a wide array of topics that included: comparing the current song to others they had heard previously by other artists, considering the characteristics of the piece being played, asking Louis questions about his life and work and even current news topics. In between pieces, Louis talked to the crowd, often verbally answering questions or comments that had appeared in the text messaging. This truly was an amazing experience.

How often does the general public have an opportunity to attend a concert *that* small – only 50 people? How often at a concert do you have a voice that can be heard and answered by the performer? How often do you have the opportunity to listen to a live concert by a New York based performer, if you live more than two states away? For me, not often, if ever is the answer to every question. And, for education, that’s the significance of this event.

Music faculty across all levels of education have an opportunity to expose their students to live concerts without the hassle of the expense, release/travel forms, or safety issues. Not only can the entire class attend, but the entire class can ask questions and interact with the performer. Learners can interact within the classroom and in Second Life to discuss and appreciate the music. The performer may potentially be able to schedule the concert around the class’ schedule! Isn’t it feasible and reasonable to expect College students to attend 10 concerts in a single semester of music appreciation if attending the concert only requires they log on at home? SL Live Music dramatically increases faculty and learner access to live music. And, to this point, I haven’t even mentioned rural public schools that are an hour or more from any live, instrumental music; now, granted a reliable, broadband internet connection may still be an issue in rural areas, but once that’s resolved, SL brings them closer to cultural outlets than they’ve ever been through a unique, innovative, new and most importantly, authentic experience.

We don’t have to stop there though. If you have the broadband connection, you’re not that far from being able to stream into SL yourself! Imagine your learners – trumpet players, pianists, celloists, violinists, or for that matter, the whole choir or orchestra – performing for a potentially worldwide audience from your own rehearsal hall, theater or band hall? And, naturally, there’s a large number of students with a great deal of interest in music that are devoid of any musical talent whatsoever (myself included); they may eventually find their way into production, marketing, promotion, or management. With SL, there’s no eventually to it. Your learners can likely engage nearly all aspects of the music industry via Second Life.