The musical revolution will be streamed online…The young musicians and music-lovers coming of age today are the generation of so-called “digital natives”; they’ve grown up with technology at their fingertips, immersed in the sea of online content, and are comfortable interacting and even creating with their peers over the web. As of 2009, they can even audition to play in an orchestra conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. The YouTube Symphony Orchestra (YTSO) has assembled a whole 101-piece orchestra via perhaps the most elaborate audition process ever devised. Hopefuls upload a video of themselves playing set pieces and orchestral excerpts to YouTube, a panel of professional musicians selects a shortlist, the shortlist is put to popular vote and the winners form the orchestra. The prize is worth the effort: in March musicians from around the world will be flown to Sydney for a week of rehearsals and coaching with musicians from starry orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra. It culminates with a concert on 20 March  at the Sydney Opera House, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas and streamed live, of course, on YouTube.

The first YTSO in 2009 generated a huge amount of...