Designing dynamic networked scores to enhance the experience of ensemble music making

This paper describes the impetus for, and design and evaluation of, a pilot project examining the potential for digital, dynamic networked scores to enhance the experience of ensemble music making. We present a new networked score presentation system, and describe how it has evolved through a participatory design approach with a primary school orchestra and through one-off sessions with several other ensembles. The design process has highlighted key issues concerning synchronisation between conductor, performers and notation, and autonomy and adaptation for performers. These key points are discussed and we show indicative feedback from users of the system along with future plans for the project