Integrating Virtual Reality into Music Performance for Concert Audiences

An increasing number of practitioners are exploring the affordances of Virtual Reality (VR) in music performance. However, sharing the VR performer’s experience with live audiences remains a challenge. In this paper, we present Bardo, a work for flute, fixed electronics, and VR, along with the creative practice developed in collaboration with a composer and flutist. We designed an audio-reactive VR environment inspired by the themes of the composition and features of the flute performance. The environment incorporates Fifth Wall, a custom camera system that implements cinematographic techniques, which can be controlled by the user, stochastic processes, or a real-time music information retrieval engine. This system provides traditional concert audiences with a cinematic view of the VR environment wherein the performer is situated. The work presented in this paper serves as a case study on bridging the experiential gap between VR performers and traditional audiences and identifies new opportunities for expressive and accessible VR music performances.