iOrchestra MusicLab returns to Plymouth

MusicLab – iOrchestra’s touring musical truck – is back in Plymouth.

Fuelled by the latest digital technology, the free pop-up ‘play-and-create’ truck will be visiting North Prospect, Whitleigh, Efford, Stonehouse and Devonport until Saturday 9 May.

MusicLab offers schools, community groups and the public the chance to put themselves in the shoes of a horn, timpani, cello or clarinet player, as well as compose music and watch films about the orchestra.

Each instrument comes complete with its own video tutorial led by a member of the Philharmonia Orchestra, who will take visitors through each note ‘Guitar Hero’ style.
Another on-board highlight is ‘Chorus Booth’, a mini recording studio where you can add your voice (or just hum!) to what will later become an online mix of all the MusicLab visitors across Plymouth.

More than 2,000 people dropped in at MusicLab while it was in Plymouth last year. One of the community workers who visited said: “The groups really enjoyed their visits to MusicLab. It was a completely new experience for our fold as many had never even held an instrument before. The staff were really encouraging and ensured that everyone took part and had fun.”

For 2015, MusicLab will take part in many local music festivals and community events, including the North Prospect Family Music Day on Saturday 18 April, the Whitleigh Words Celebrate St George’s Day on the Green and the Efford MusicLab Arrival events on Saturday 25 April and the Stonehouse and Devonport Community Music Festival with Devonport Live on Monday 4 May.

iOrchestra is a pioneering digital music project led by the Philharmonia Orchestra and gives people in communities across Plymouth, Torbay and Cornwall the chance to step inside the beating heart of an orchestra. In Plymouth the project is supported by Plymouth City Council, the Council’s youth music service and Plymouth Music Education Hub.

For more information and the schedule of events visit www.iorchestra.co.uk.

Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith said: “Plymouth is proud to support the iOrchestra project, which uses the latest technology to help communities understand and engage with music. The MusicLab truck was really popular last year and we look forward to welcoming it back.”