This is off topic – but it’s about a fascinating application of Internet technology. 

YouTube is organizing a YouTube Symphony Orchestra:

Interested in joining the first-ever collaborative online orchestra? Professionals and amateur musicians of all ages, locations and instruments are welcome to audition for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra by submitting a video performance of a new piece written for the occasion by the renowned Chinese composer Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). We have tools to help you learn the music, rehearse with the conductor and upload your part for the collaborative video.

And how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice and upload. Send us your talent video performance from a list of recommended pieces. Finalists will be chosen by a judging panel and YouTube users to travel to New York in April 2009, to participate in the YouTube Symphony Orchestra summit, and play at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.

The deadline for all video submissions is January 28, 2009.

It’s hard to imagine YouTube being the most effective way to audition people for an orchestra – but then again, it taps into a deeper pool than any regional or even national orchestra is likely to have. 

Let me know what you think of this. And is there a way something similar could be done with electronic music?