Australian Chamber Orchestra's virtual orchestra a world first Jett and Melody van der Wallen perform at the launch of ACO Virtual. CLASSICAL music lovers will now longer need to pay for expensive tickets to see the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) play in stuffy theatres or elaborate music halls. A new interactive digital medium means audiences will be able get up close and personal with a "virtual"orchestra at their local school or community hall. In a ground-breaking world first the ACO has teamed with Australian digital production firm Mod Productions to produce ACO Virtual, which projects 2D and 3D images of the orchestra performing some of their best known work from Bach to Piazzolla. ACO Virtual goes on show at the Opera House next month as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. A touch screen "music stand" allows the audience to become their own conductor with the ability to spotlight individual musicians. Created in the same studio used to film Keanu Reeves in the Matrix films, Mod used 13 cameras to capture audio and 3D images of the orchestra. ACO Artist Director and violinist Richard Tognetti said the "immersive technology" meant the audience could do what other orchestra audiences couldn't - stand in middle of the orchestra. Australian Chamber Orchestra artistic director Richard Tognetti lauds the new technology. The potential is absolutely enormous, this is just beginning. We are really excited about the actuality. I just can't wait to see it in a school. Imagine having an orchestra in your school hall? Mr Tognetti said. You feel like you are in the orchestra. This offers that opportunity. It is an art installation but it's also an educational tool. Mr Tognetti said because there was such great demand for the orchestra to perform, especially in regional centres, ACO Virtual was the "perfect way to extend our performances into all schools and community centres." Richard Tognetti tries out the 3D glasses at the launch. ACO General Manager Timothy Calnin said trial exhibitions of ACO Virtual at the Gold Coast Arts Centre and the Victorian Swan Hill Gallery has been hugely successful. "Conceived as a way to reach communities in remote parts of Australia it is a richer experience than watching on TV," Mr Calnin said. Richard Tognetti's electric performance Students join ACO to play at the Great Synagogue Even after spending my whole career working with professional orchestras, I had never had the experience of being completely surrounded by the musicians in performance, and this is something which ACO Virtual achieves with remarkable realism. Newport siblings Jett and Melody van der Wallen show how ACO Virtual could work in a school hall. Newport teenage siblings Jett and Melody van der Wallen were the "live" performers at the launch and said ACO Virtual would provide a great opportunity for aspiring musicians to play alongside the best in the business, with the musical score projected below the orchestra members, albeit virtually. It's really quite fun. Jett said. The Commonwealth Bank is a founding partner of the project; Chief Marketing Officer Vittoria Shortt said ACO Virtual suited the bank's commitment to bringing the latest innovations to all Australians.