Music school offers live video, free podcasts

Some people may say that nothing is free; however, the Jacobs School of Music Department of Recording Arts begs to differ.

In the fall of 2006, the music school made online podcasts available, and in the fall of 2007 they began streaming live video of select performances, which they archive for audiences to view after the live performance.

People around the world can watch and listen to select music school performances for free from the comfort of their own homes, and the music school recently announced the release of new selections.

“We are always looking for new ways to show what we do and exploit technology,” said Konrad Strauss, chair and director of Recording Arts.

On the podcast end, new pieces such as “Jupiter” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by the IU Symphony Orchestra, and “From Heaven Above,” performed by the IU Brass Choir, are now available to download.

Podcasts and live streaming videos are located at music.indiana.edu/iumusiclive.
“It is important to find good clips from performances to represent the school well and to help get more people to come to concerts,” said Travis Gregg, coordinator of Audio Production. “Everything is free and available at any time.”

New videos, which previously streamed live, such as IU Ballet Theater’s performance of “The Nutcracker” and IU Opera Theater’s performance of “The Love for Three Oranges,” are also available.

“We update the Web site with new material every couple of months,” Strauss said. “The live video streams are a great opportunity to show and to make available to friends, family and alumni that can’t make the trip and for future students interested in the school.”

Freshman music major Adam Almeter’s parents do not always make it to his performances.

“I haven’t watched any of my performances, but I know my mom watches them online,” he said.

Gregg said one of the features of the live video stream is a live chat that allows those at home to talk with those working in the recording room and other viewers.

The next live video stream will be at 7:45 p.m. Feb. 6, covering the IU Opera Theater’s performance of “Le Cendrillon,” a famous romantic fantasy based on the Cinderella fairy tale.

“There are only a handful of universities offering live video streams of performances, but there is nobody offering live HD streaming in such high quality,” Gregg said.

With advanced technology at IU, Gregg hopes to expand on the number of performances that are recorded and streamed each semester.

“It is most rewarding to be able to use technology to help disseminate great art and make it available worldwide,” Strauss said.