In a unique fusion of classical music and modern technology, the Norrlandsoperan Philharmonic Orchestra will share the stage with a “Mobile Phone Orchestra” of schoolchildren using their smartphones as instruments, amplified through Audio Pro portable speakers.
The performance, scheduled for 2027 at Norrlandsoperan in Umeå, marks the grand finale of the three-year MAXAT project. Teenagers with no prior musical training will perform specially composed pieces alongside the professional orchestra, playing works by composers including Anders Lind, Arvo Pärt, and Maurice Ravel.
Audio Pro T3+ connection
Each young participant uses their mobile phone as a musical instrument, guided by simple color-coded instructions on screen. The phones connect wirelessly to individual Audio Pro T3+ speakers, which amplify each player’s part. These speaker outputs blend seamlessly with the live orchestral performance to create a single, unified musical work.
We were contacted by Norrlandsoperan who were looking for speakers that could function as a musical instrument in an orchestra — a request you don’t hear very often, said Nils Ankarcrona, CEO of Audio Pro. Initially we had a hard time even imagining how this would work, but now that we have seen the result, it suddenly makes a lot of sense.
After testing several options, Norrlandsoperan selected the Audio Pro T3+ for its superior sound quality, long battery life, and exceptional reliability. The speakers have endured a full year of intensive use, including nationwide tours across Sweden and an international performance with the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra in Lithuania.
The reliability, battery life and sound quality of the speakers have exceeded our expectations, said Andreas Nilsson, music producer at Norrlandsoperan. All this transportation and handling of the speakers put quite a strain on them, and we are surprised at how much the Audio Pro speakers can withstand.
Maxat Project
The MAXAT project is led by Norrlandsoperan in collaboration with composer and researcher Anders Lind, the originator of the mobile phone orchestra concept. It receives support from the Swedish Arts Council and involves cooperation with Umeå University.
The initiative aims to make music accessible to young people, demonstrating that anyone can participate in high-level musical creation with everyday technology. The 2027 concert date will be announced in the coming months.
This innovative collaboration highlights both the creative possibilities of digital tools in classical music and the rugged performance of Swedish-engineered audio equipment in demanding artistic environments.
