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Around 20,000 people attended the spectacular opening event of the Edinburgh International Festival on Friday 7 August 2015. The Harmonium Project was the result of a unique collaboration to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

Created by 59 Productions, the Project made a special recording of John Adams’ mesmerising choral work Harmonium, as performed by the Chorus, and combined it with with a series of spectacular animations. These were then projected onto the outside of the Usher Hall.

The collaboration also included the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Design Informatics, who helped to produce a digital representation of the effects singing has on both the performer and the listener.

Scientific data from singers in the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, including information from eye-tracking software, EEG machines to measure brain activity and accelerometers to capture body movement, were all used to gather physical and mental responses during the act of singing. This data then contributed to the colourful visuals shown on the facade of the Usher Hall. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Arts met the Harmonium Project's creators.

With thanks to the EIF, 59 Productions and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

The Edinburgh Festival Chorus is the subject of a documentary: High Notes and Sore Throats: 50 Years of the Festival Chorus is on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two Scotland, 24 August at 10pm, and available afterwards on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer.

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