One of the most famous music venues in the United States is the illustrious Carnegie Hall, built in 1891 by the celebrated philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The concert hall is renowned for the fact that it welcomes both classical and popular music, but mostly for its impeccable acoustics, its fascinating history and impressive architecture. Since 1962, when the New York Philharmonic moved from Carnegie Hall to the Lincoln’s Center Philharmonic Hall, the music venue has not had a resident company. Instead, it presents over 250 performances each season, not to mention the show put on by the groups who rent the hall.

Recently, it was made public that getting to perform at the prominent Carnegie Hall is easier than ever, and it can all be achieved through the world-popular online video website YouTube. Using an idea borrowed from the hit show “American Idol,” the video site announced that it will soon be putting together a YouTube Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra will be a collaboration of Carnegie Hall, its conductor – Michael Tilson Thomas, composer Tan Dun with beginner and wannabe musicians, along with a handful of other prominent figures from the music world.

Enthusiasts have until January 28th to submit their two videos – in one, they must display their musical talents anyway they see fit, while in the second video they must interpret one of Tan Dun’s original works. Tan Dun is best known to the public because of the Academy Awards he won in 2000 for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” The finalists will be chosen, and YouTube users will vote for their favorites, selecting the winners, a process that will end on March 2nd. In April, the winners will take part in a three-day workshop led by Thomas. On April 15, they will perform in the “Internet Symphony No.1 – Eroica”.