Symphonic Mob

The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester (DSO) has developed a new format called “Symphonic Mob” which presents classical music in an innovative and future-oriented way. The format was inspired by the viral phenomenon of flash mobs. In a “Symphonic Mob”, music enthusiasts of varying ages, sex and social status come together to spontaneously form an orchestra with a chorus and perform previously rehearsed musical pieces. Those interested in participating can download the scores from the project website in advance and view video tutorials, pre-recorded by professional musicians, so that they can practice on their own in private. In this way, music enthusiasts from all walks of life have the chance to perform in concert together with professional musicians at a high level of artistic quality.

The DSO would like to share these experiences with other interested orchestras throughout Germany and support them in organising their own Symphonic Mobs at other locations. The project kicked off in spring 2016 with a Symphonic Mob performed together with the DSO in Berlin, as well as an international symposium of experts which shared the experience of the DSO. Numerous orchestras and music enthusiasts from all over Germany attended the event. As part of the symposium, the DSO initiated a discussion on contemporary music education and its significance in the German orchestral landscape. The symposium also served as the venue for the first Symphonic Mob, after which four more are to follow in other regions in Germany. The DSO has assumed a coordinating and advising role in the project. All of the mobs will be documented on film and the resulting videos will be accessible online via the project’s website.