In September 2016, Newzik teamed up with the Rouen Opera House with the purpose of creating the world’s first ever concert using the 12"9 inches newest iPad Pros, and to find out how classical orchestras could implement and benefit from using digital score readers over traditional sheet music.
With only two days of rehearsals before the actual concert, the musicians didn’t have time to waste. So the challenge was two-fold. One, to make the transition from paper and pencil to digital as smooth as possible. Two, to do it in the minimal timeframe that was given before having to perform in front of 900 people. Although most of the performers had never used iPad music readers and Bluetooth Foot Pedals, they quickly adapted to the technology.
The concert took place to close to the Impressionists Festival in the Opera de Rouen and the 80 musicians read the sheet music off iPad Pros.
After a successful concert and by the end of the trial, each musician filled out a survey about their experience.
Rate your experience with Newzik: 82%
Do you think that digital will replace paper? 80% Yes
Would you like to renew the experience? 96% Yes
“What I find amazing is the notion of music together. I’m interested in what we are doing with this application, and how it is linked to collaboration. For example, if the first violinist makes a down-bow (music symbol) on his score, the fourteen violinists behind him will get the information instantaneously.”
Yvan Cassar, Conductor
“We began trying the software yesterday. Between then and now there is already a huge difference to how we’re using it. We are quickly realizing its tangible benefits. For example, to cut and eventually eliminate a section, normally you must erase everything. Now this is accomplished in just one click. Turning pages with a pedal, to go forward and backward. There are things that are easier and go much faster. That’s for sure.”
Helene, Violinist
“For us it is interesting to be pioneering this project and see how we can work together on building an efficient tool. A tool to serve as the new model of the orchestral world.”
Claire Roserot de Melin, Head of the Rouen Opera House
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A musical cooperation between an orchestra, a music publisher and Newzik In May 2018, Newzik was fortunate to collaborate with two organizations based in the Netherlands: the Asko I Schönberg ensemble, a contemporary ensemble, and Donemus Publishing, a music publishing house.
ensemble
In September 2016, Newzik teamed up with the Rouen Opera House with the purpose of creating the world’s first ever concert using the 12"9 inches newest iPad Pros, and to find out how classical orchestras could implement and benefit from using digital score readers over traditional sheet music.
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An entire symphony orchestra on Newzik with iPad Pros In May 2017, Newzik met with the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France for a one-day trial of our digital solution that replaces paper scores.
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A military orchestra enjoying the iPad-performance In April 2018, Newzik partnered with the French Republican Guard Orchestra for a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s work. This one-time concert took place in Paris at the Saint-Louis des Invalides cathedral, where the ensemble hosted three renowned soloists: the violinist Augustin Dumay, the cellist Henri Demarquette and the pianist Michel Dalberto.
The Rouen Opera House was founded in 1998 by Austrian conductor Oswald Sallaberger and is located in Rouen, Normandy. The Theater of the Arts is well renowned for hosting some of the largest productions from around the world and sees thousands of enthusiastic classical music lovers pass through its doors every day.
