WHY USE THE IVASI SYSTEM?
During a mock audition held for twelve master classes for flute, oboe etc. being judged by three members of the audition committee from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, it was determined that to win an audition in a symphony orchestra, musicians must know more than just the excerpts to be performed -- they must be aware of the entire work. Following the audition, each member was asked if they had ever performed the works. Some had performed one of the works asked for, but most of the players said they had not actually played any of the works completely. The most obvious shortfall was that the works were not performed as they would likely be heard in an actual performance. The judges were constantly thinking of the accompaniment as the soloist was playing. Many auditionees were not aware of the absolute rhythm they must play and the knowledge they must have to know what else is going on with the orchestra while their performance is being played.

The reality led to the beginning of The IVASI System.

HOW IT WORKS
IVASI uses a technique started in the Hollywood studios more than sixty years ago. A conductor will synchronize his conducting talents with recordings of an agreed-upon work. The result, when shown on a large screen, makes available the possibility of learning the work without actually having to join an orchestra to do so. When using IVASI, a conductor rehearses the group first. At the end of the session a video projector is turned on and with state-of-the-art sound systems of today, the full sound of the orchestra is heard letting all the musicians in the ensemble play along, following the conductor on the screen. With the current technique using the DVD format, the process is even more exciting -- searching for rehearsal points to repeat difficult areas becomes a very easy process. Shown here are pictures of this technique being used in rehearsals.

As the reviews rave, it's the closest form of actually performing the work with a complete orchestra yet devised.

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