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For Classical Gamers, a 'Baton Hero'
If you’ve ever dreamed of leading an orchestra on stage, now you can satisfy your urge. Today: a look at UBS Virtual Maestro, a videogame that indulges would-be Leonard Bernsteins. Also: we take a look at the Asimo, Honda's humanoid robot, which made its conducting debut Tuesday at Orchestra Hall, leading the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Finally: The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble mixes a brass band sound with improvisation and funk. They join us for a live performance.
Poll: How do you get your music fix?: Tell us how you spend your money on songs, albums and concerts in a Soundcheck poll.
Virtual Maestro
If you’ve ever dreamed of leading an orchestra on stage, there's a new video game to satisfy your urge. The UBS Virtual Maestro allows would-be Leonard Bernsteins to lead their own "virtual orchestra" via an Nintendo Wii controller. As the game currently tours concert halls across the U.S., we hear from one of its developers, Yuri Ivanov.
Our blog: John Schaefer on "toying" with musical skills
Tell us: Are music simulators good or bad for music? Can they spark new interest, or do they "cheapen" the study of music?
Video: Asimo conducts the Detroit Symphony
Video: The Virtual Maestro
... And a Robot Maestro
Now there's another reason for conductors to be concerned about job security: On Tuesday night, Asimo, a 4-foot-3-inch Hondo robot led the Detroit Symphony in a performance of "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha." Detroit Free Press music critic Mark Stryker tells us about it.
The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble
The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble is a Boston-based, New Orleans-inspired collective that mixes the brass band sound with improvisation and funk. They join us for a live performance.
The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble perform at their CD release party tonight at Drom at 8pm.
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Introducing our Video Contest
Soundcheck
John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.
In Studio: Angel Deradoorian
Soundcheck
The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.
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Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
Soundcheck
Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
- Comments [1]
In Studio: Stephanie McKay
Soundcheck
The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
- Comments [3]
In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.
