Synchronous Online Ensemble Performance

Networked Music Performances (NMPs) overcome the barriers of distance through the mediation of the Internet. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art NMP research, with a specific focus on aspects related to social interaction and collaboration in online chamber music ensembles. We first discuss a conceptual framework that takes into account the components of NMP, including types of performance, involved subjects, environment and medium, as well as qualitative and quantitative means of evaluation. We then review recent studies on ensemble music making, not necessarily in a remote context, in order to highlight relevant behaviours, requirements, and communication strategies by instrumentalists playing collaboratively. Within this framework, we report on two studies carried out in the scope of the EU project INTERMUSIC with the aim of exploring technological strategies to enhance the perceived coherence of the remote music interaction and support the social coordination in chamber music practising and rehearsal.