Approximate replica of WGBH studio in Second Life, 2008

To prepare for its May 27 simulcast in Second Life, WGBH had to build an approximate 3D digital replica of its perfomance studio. (Image: WGBH.)

Three-way broadcast,
from Brighton and in Brightonia

First time in Second Life

Originally published in Current, May 12, 2008

Boston’s WGBH-FM expects to score a virtual first this month when pianist Jeremy Denk performs simultaneously on air, online and in the virtual world Second Life.

The music will be as actual as the circumstances allow.

With an innovation grant from CPB, project director Gary Mott has bought an island (“Brightonia," named after WGBH's new neighborhood in Boston) in the online venue, and technicians are fashioning a virtual Hamburg-built Steinway, a replica of WGBH’s new Fraser performance studio, and animated avatars for the pianist and Classics in the Morning host Cathy Fuller.

Second Life residents can send their avatars. Tune in 11 a.m. to noon Eastern time (8 a.m. Second Life time), Tuesday, May 27, at 89.7 FM or WGBH.org/classical or SecondLife.com.

Coming someday to Brightonia: virtual instruments that your avatar can play.

For more about the performance and Brightonia, go to WGBH's page about the project.

This item slightly expanded from Current's print edition.

Web page posted May 14, 2008
Copyright 2008 by Current LLC

EARLIER ARTICLES

Independently produced pubradio show The Infinite Mind claimed earlier firsts, with the first national broadcast with an ongoing presence in a virtual world (16 acres!) and the first major recording artist to perform live in avatar form, Suzanne Vega.

LINKS

Radio World reports on WGBH's plans in Second Life.

The WGBH project was a grantee in the second round of grants announced in CPB's Public Media Innovation Fund.

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