A New Era of Audience Engagement Through Virtual Reality
-
Today, art song is primarily experienced in niche or academic spaces, despite the noble efforts of many art song initiatives across the country. Modern American audiences crave accessibility, relevance, and participation, but most have never had the chance to experience art song up close. So what if we could get them out of their seats and bring them onto the stage from the comfort of their home?
Creating Song in 360 explores virtual reality (VR) as a platform for contemporary art song and a tool for audience engagement, inviting audiences out of traditional seats and into the heart of the performance. Audience members will find themselves sitting next to the pianist, watching his hands glide across the keys, or standing next to the soprano, so close they can see her ribs expand to create sound.
This immersive performance project was developed by Erin Alcorn as part of her dissertation research and produced by the Digital Performance Lab and Center for Immersive and Spatial Computing at the University of Cincinnati Digital Futures facility. With cutting-edge 360-degree video and ambisonic audio, viewers are transported virtually to the Werner Recital Hall at the University of Cincinnati and placed within an arm’s reach of the performers, deepening immersion within the performance.
At this event, you’ll learn how Creating Song in 360 uses VR as a powerful tool for accessibility, engagement, and artistic innovation. Explore how immersive media transforms audience experience, see behind-the-scenes footage of the production process, and be among the first to view the completed VR performance.
Whether you're a musician, gamer, or arts lover, this is your chance to imagine what song can be in the digital age.
-
Join us at either 10 or 11am at UC's Digital Futures building, where you can hop into a VR headset with the help of a guide and experience an immersive art song performance by soprano Erin Alcorn and pianist Samuel Martin, featuring music by Lori Laitman.
The performance is only about 10 minutes long, but allow 30 minutes to make sure you have a chance to get inside the headset.
There will be a guide to help you into the headset.
You will be seated for the 10 minute performance.
You can wear eye glasses with the headset.
Some people experience motion sickness in VR, but most will not be affected during this short performance.
Best for ages 10 and above.
-
This event is available only for in-person attendance through single ticket registration.
Meet the Presenters
Special Thanks
The Fellowship of the Song would simply not be possible without the support of bold individuals and organizations with a shared vision to promote and innovate the song genre in America alongside CSI. We are indelibly grateful for their generosity.
