On Thursday November 11, 2011, smartphone users across the world will have the opportunity to participate in what promises to be “the largest orchestra in the world.”
Massive Symphony is a volunteer-run project that aims to turn the world’s smartphones into a massive orchestra on Nov. 11, 2011 (11/11/11) at 11:11 (GM+1).
The free app is currently available for Android and the iOS version will be available soon. The app will synchronize all the devices on which it is installed, down to the exact millisecond. At exactly 11 hours, 11 minutes, 11 seconds and 111 milliseconds, the devices will begin performing one minute of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony—arguably the most famous piece of classical music ever written, so quite the natural choice for this project. Users can either join in the first symphony, or alternatively, the music will repeat every hour until 10:11 “so that every time zone on the Earth is able to join in the great symphony.” After the song is played, a map will show the number of people in each country that have participated.
At the time of this writing, the Android app has a little over 3,000 downloads. We can only hope that as this week progresses, the project will gain momentum. “Play to change the world,” the video proclaims, emphasizing the project’s overarching message of cooperation. “Change is here…Together.” It’s a lofty goal, but it’s certainly one worth working toward. The digital age we live in offers a myriad of possibilities, changing the way we live, the way we work, and the way we work together. The makers of Massive Symphony are hoping to show that it’s a change for the better.
EM.
