Royal College of Music Performance VR
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal College of Music
Department Name: Research
Abstract
The Royal College of Music (RCM) has pioneered the use of simulation to help performers from the arts, medicine, business, sport, education, and other skilled areas hone their craft and prepare for the pressures of public performance. The RCM Performance VR project builds on a major redevelopment of the College's performance simulation facilities to develop and deliver a virtual reality application that will let performers and the public around the world experience immersive, interactive performance spaces from the convenience of their own homes and workplaces. The RCM is working with performers to design an app that is easy to use and can recreate the challenges and thrills of performing on stage to an audience that reacts as a real audience might. By making this app available to buy on existing VR marketplaces, the College will be able to generate funds to continue to design, expand, and share their innovations in performance simulation and make it available to more people worldwide. This will allow as many as possible to benefit from the expertise of one of the top institutions for performing arts in the world.
Organisations
Publications
| Description | The domain of Augmented Reality, as opposed to Virtual Reality, has been identified as the target technology due to the potential benefits for the user experience and rapid growth of the hardware sector. The design principles were set out, a minimum viable product identified, and a prototype was delivered. A roadmap to commercialisation has also been defined, as well as a long-term strategy for technology development. |
| Exploitation Route | The project has delivered an augmented reality application that allows users to experience and practice live stage performance in realistic, interactive settings. The Royal College of Music is using the technology to drive research, training, and outreach activities centred around the experience of live performance. |
| Sectors | Creative Economy Education Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| URL | https://performancescience.ac.uk/ |
| Description | The finished prototype has been used to collect early-stage usability feedback to drive further development, as well as to stage demonstrations for and spark discussions with potential investors and collaborators. Funding applications have been submitted, with further in preparation, to act upon what has been learned in this activity. |
| Sector | Creative Economy,Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Economic |
| Description | Commercial Communications Training |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Testimonials from clients have cited immediate successes of participants in delivering successful investment pitches and improved communication within their MBA students or organisations. |
| URL | https://www.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/blogs/student-blog/full-time-mba-students-practise-pitchi... |
| Title | Royal College of Music Performance Simulation VR Software |
| Description | A prototype VR version of the RCM simulation software, based in the Oculus platform, which allows for the real time simulation and control (via a custom interface) of a virtual audience in an RCM venue. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | The prototype software is being used to demonstrate and test the potential of VR/AR-enhanced practice and training in a wider variety of locations and at lower costs than allowed by the physical Performance Laboratory simulations. |
| Description | ABRSM Chief Examiners Exchange |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration of the Performance Laboratories and discussion of performance and assessment-enhancing technologies within the context of international music examinations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | AHRC Infrastructure Team Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hosted the AHRC Infrastructure team for a demonstration of the Performance Laboratory technologies and discussion about the intersections of arts, science, and innovation. Led to further discussion and visits. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Association of Brass Band Adjudicators Keynote |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Following a visit to the Performance Laboratory, invited for a Keynote presentation at the annual meeting of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators to discuss scientific and technological approaches to enhancing music assessment and training. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| Description | Association of University Directors of Estates Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A presentation of the Performance Laboratory technologies to the annual meeting of the Association of University Directors of Estates, held at the Royal College of Music. Discussion on the challenges and opportunities of facilities to spark innovation in research, teaching, and artistic outputs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Football Association Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Exchange with head training staff from the Football Association and Premier League concerning technology-enhanced performance training |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | German Football Association Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Performance Laboratory technologies were featured in a workshop for club owners and executives from the German Football Association at the invitation of the English Football Association, discussing shared challenges and opportunities in technology-enhanced performance training. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Guildhall School of Music and Drama Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The Performance Laboratory and related technologies were demonstrated to the Directorate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, leading to follow-up visits and plans for further collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Hong Kong Performing Arts Academy Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A demonstration of the Performance Laboratory and VR technology to visiting leaders from the Hong Kong Performing Arts Academy as part of their visit to the Royal College of Music, leading to discussion and inquiry about technology-enhanced performance training. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Japanese Ambassador Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Performance Laboratory was demonstrated to Ambassador Hayashi and his colleagues, leading to a later visit by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/240509amb.html |
| Description | Keynote to the London College of Music Examinations (LCME) Examiner Training Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Included development of the Performance Laboratory and VR work in an invited keynote to the London College of Music Examinations (LCME) training day, leading to further invitations from attendees to their organisations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | London Music Fund Visits |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Demonstrations of the Performance Laboratory technologies to young musicians within the London Music Fund. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| Description | Malta Football Association Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration of the Performance Laboratory facilities to head coaches, trainers, and staff from the Malta Football Association in discussion of shared opportunities and challenges in technology-enhanced performance training. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Manhattan School of Music Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration of the Performance Laboratory technologies and discussion of technology-enhanced teaching with programmes leadership from the Manhattan School of Music. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration of the Performance Laboratory technologies to leadership from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, with discussion of how the approaches might be adapted in their contexts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | PAMA Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Ahead of the Performing Arts Medicine Association annual symposium, international delegates attended demonstrations of the Performance Laboratory and took part in discussions of how such technologies might be used to enhance the prevention and treatment of performance-related injury and improve methods of performance training. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | RCM Festival of Percussion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration and discussion of the Performance Laboratory technologies to festivalgoers at the RCM Festival of Percussion. Led to several follow-up inquiries and contacts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | RCM Music and Ideas Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of the Performance Laboratory in the RCM's public music research lecture series. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | RCM Open House |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration of the Performance Laboratory technologies to prospective undergraduate and graduate students considering study at the Royal College of Music, sparking discussion of how the technologies would be integrated into and enhance their training. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | RCM Wind and Brass Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Discussions and demonstrations of the Performance Laboratory technologies to guests at the Royal College of Music's Wind and Brass Festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Royal Opera House Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of the Performance Laboratory technologies to a group of leadership and technical staff from the Royal Opera House, considering future collaborations and the potential of the technologies in performing arts organisations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Shadow Culture Secretary Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration of the Performance Laboratory technologies to the Labor Shadow Culture Secretary and colleagues as part of her visit to the Royal College of Music, discussing the intersection of arts, science, and innovation and the potential to train communication skills in political domains. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/royalcollegeofmusic/posts/thangam-debbonaire-mp-shadow-secretary-of-state-f... |
| Description | Sibelius Academy Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The Performance Laboratory and VR technologies were demonstrated to a group staff and students from the Sibelius Academy, followed by discussion of their applications in performance training settings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Snap Inc Exchange |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Exchanges with Snap Inc. executives at the Royal College of Music Performance Laboratory and at their London headquarters to enhance research into VR applications and discuss possibilities for tech-enhanced learning. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| Description | State Visit of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | As part of the 2024 State Visit to the UK, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan (accompanied by Palace and Embassy officials) visited the Performance Laboratory for a demonstration of the technologies and how they are used in performance training. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.rcm.ac.uk/about/news/all/2024-06-26hismajestytheemperorsvisittothercm.aspx |
| Description | UK Parliamentary Engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | A delegation of UK Parliamentary Clerks and staff received a demonstration of the Performance Laboratory technologies and discussed their potential applications to performance in political settings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | UKRI Action Figures |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Following on engagement with the Performance Laboratories, George Waddell featured in the UKRI's online 'action figure' series referencing the use of simulation and VR technologies in performance science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/weareukri/p/DGnWidgIZtI/?img_index=1 |
| Description | UKRI Chairman Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration of the Performance Laboratory technologies to the UKRI Chairman and colleagues, sparking discussion of the research and commercial potential of projects bridging arts, sciences, and technology within specialist institutions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | UKRI Strategy Directorate Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration and discussion of the performance laboratory technologies with the UKRI Strategy Directorate as part of their Away Day hosted at the Royal College of Music. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Universities UK Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of the Performance Laboratories to leadership of Universities UK, discussing the potential of arts and technology in specialist institutions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |