Princeton University's newest musical ensemble is more likely to tickle the keys of a QWERTY than any set of ivories. When Perry Cook, head of the school's Sound Lab, and Dan Trueman, a tech-minded composer, formed the Princeton Laptop Orchestra last fall, they found that 15 first-year students on Macs connected to custom omnidirectional speakers can emulate a full-fledged philharmonic. Or an electronica band. Or a jazz combo. It's easy when the conductor keeps time via network clocks precise to 20 milliseconds.
The spring semester PLOrk - yes, that's what they call it - comprises an upgraded batch of upperclassmen and plans to perform with Zakir Hussain, master of the tabla (an Indian drum). They'll also present three concerts of original compositions. Someday, dozens of Princeton alumni will be able to say that they played a little PowerBook in college.
- Rachel Metz
credit Erica Larsen
Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk)
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