Orchestral union-players are worried this could be the future of "live" orchestral music if theater-company managers have their way.

Today's Christian Science Monitor features an article calling virtual orchestras "robo music." Realtime System's Frank Lazarus says "... he's come to loathe the term "virtual orchestra" because it has been "poisoned." The union has done a very good job of demonizing 'virtual orchestra' as a concept and making it seem like it's the devil ... public enemy No. 1 for musicians."

I'm fascinated by the knee-jerk response of luddite musicians - the "push a button" relationship with music technology - in how un-nuanced their position is with respect to technologically advanced music tools. They believe there's almost no musical talent/training required to operate a music device....someone (cast as musically inept) just "pushes a button" and Voila!, no need for real musicians.

The truth is, these boxes require very specialized and competent operators. Software ala Vienna Strings is complex and musically nuanced - just ask Desha Dunnahoe- and is built to be used by people fluent in the music arts.

I think the real fear here is obsolescence. In my (limited) personal experience, people who chair instrument sections usually don't have the "bigger picture" when it comes to composition, orchestration, production, etc (and they really don't need to, either). When confronted with a new member of the pit, who by definition has a deeper understanding of the entire project (musical, technological, etc) but also has the attentive ear of the show's producer and music director, it can be intimidating. A 20 year veteran of 1st chair playing probably isn't going to understand how to coax a "living" performance out of a "box", and may feel incompetent by contrast.

"These boxes make me feel old, obsolete and incompetent : why would I want to embrace this???"

Update: Musician (and awesome human being) Jim Lutz chimes in:

"I think this is partially a generational issue, with older musicians fighting the advance of the new ways. It's sad for them, because in their day, you could "just play" and make a living. No more. And computers are not entirely to blame for this... there are lots of factors including the decline of musical intelligence in America. But like it or not, those who succeed in the new generation will be those who embrace the new ways.