YouTube Symphony Orchestra – the world’s first collaborative online orchestra.

YouTube is having a contest:

We invite musicians from around the world to audition for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. Your video entries will be combined into the first ever collaborative virtual performance, and the world will select the best of you to perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall in April 2009. ~ YouTube

The contest is open to professionals and amateurs of all ages and locations. All you have to do is submit a performance (on video) of a new piece (YouTube has list of recommended pieces) written for the occasion by the renowned Chinese composer Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). YouTube has even prepared all the tools to help people learn, rehearse, and upload the material.

Finalists will be chosen by a judging panel and YouTube users to travel to New York in April 2009, to participate in the YouTube Symphony Orchestra summit, and play at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. ~ YouTube

The deadline for all video submissions is January 28, 2009.

FAQs – http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/ytsymphony/faq.pdf
Rules – http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/ytsymphony/terms.html

Youtube has created a list of “suggested” instruments, most of which are just typical instruments you’d expect to find in an orchestra performance. Examples include, the violin, piano, viola, cello, harp, flute, clarinet, trumpet, etc.

But, what’s cool is that they also say:

You’re welcome to play any instrument in the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. If your specific instrument isn’t on the pull-down list, feel free to choose an instrument in the same range and pitch to get the appropriate sheet music. See alternate instrument suggestions (PDF). ~ YouTube

So, really, any musician is welcome to participate! Check it out..
The YouTube Symphony Orchestra page is here: http://www.youtube.com/symphony