MUMBAI: The world's most popular online video community YouTube has announced the launch of the "YouTube Symphony Orchestra" (www.youtube.com/symphonyin), the world's first collaborative online orchestra and summit in December 2008.

The purpose of this initiave is to give Indian musicians a unique opportunity to perform alongside musicians of all instruments and styles from all over the world. For this, musicians from the Bangalore based William Joseph International Academy have also been roped in - their performances will be filmed and uploaded to YouTube.

William Joseph International Academy, Director and Chairman Dr Ashley Williams believes that this opportunity can help Indian musicians realize their dream of making it big differently. "By playing Indian traditional instruments, musicians across India can display heritage of Indian music to a wider global audience. We hope that the initiative will showcase this country's musical talent on a global stage and help to popularize Indian music around the world."

From December 1, 2008 through January 28, 2009, musicians from around the world are invited to submit videos showcasing their personal style as they perform two different videos – their interpretation of an original Tan Dun composition, written specifically for this program, and a talent video designed to demonstrate their musical and technical abilities. A panel of musical experts from the London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and other leading orchestras around the world will narrow the field of entries down to the semifinalists. The YouTube community will be invited to vote on the semifinalists from February 14, 2009 through February 22, 2009. Musicians who are selected will be announced on YouTube on March 2, 2009.

In April 2009, selected musicians will be flown to New York City to participate in a three-day classical music summit with Michael Tilson Thomas, the artistic advisor for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra and leading performers in the field, culminating in a Carnegie Hall performance on April 15, 2009. In addition, selected video entries of the musical piece will be mashed together to create a living YouTube symphony -- a single video of memorable entrants combined into one ensemble piece -- and even more entries will be displayed on YouTube homepages around the world.

As the first YouTube-sponsored program to welcome submissions from every country around the world, YouTube Symphony Orchestra will transform individual performances into a global collaborative symphony, explore new possibilities for orchestral collaboration, and springboard talented classical musicians into the global YouTube spotlight.

"YouTube is a unique platform for musical artists to broadcast their work. Through the YouTube Symphony Orchestra, aspiring musicians can share their passion with institutions like Carnegie Hall and the London Symphony Orchestra, visionaries like Lang Lang, and the world" said Ed Sanders, Product Marketing Manager, YouTube. "We are honored to partner with these venerable organizations and individuals to reach the next milestone for ensemble music and global collaboration."

For official rules of entry and FAQ, consult YouTube Symphony Orchestra Channel (www.youtube.com/symphonyin).