Musical Chairs

Multi-award-winning music technology is helping to teach new generations of musicians how to play with the best - and it's all because of a University of Adelaide graduate.

In the Chair is a music technology company established by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Program Director Chris Matters (B. Mus 1982 (Adel), DipEd 1982 (Adel) G. Dip T (SACAE) 1983, B. Mus Hons 1989 (Adel), MBA 1997 (UniSA).

The company began with his vision of bringing the ASO to every student. The first product incorporating its unique technology is StarPlay - music education software that lets anyone practise by performing with professional musicians and bands, with sound, video, musical notes and other interactive elements.

"The software listens to the users' actual performance with an analogue instrument and provides feedback as they play, with real-time judgements on pitch, tone, timing, and other important aspects of performance," Mr Matters said.

In the Chair recently won a South Australian Innovation Award to represent the State at a G'day Australia event in New York earlier this year. ■