Hire Virtual Orchestra: Play Along
Virtual Orchestra: Play Along takes you from being part of the audience to part of the orchestra.
Key features:
- Guide to the sections of the orchestra
- Free choice of percussion instruments and tutorials with a Philharmonia musician
- Learn and practise musical notation
- Basic and hard modes to challenge participants
- Perform live on stage at the Royal Festival Hall
- Get your final score – how well did you do?
- Free to explore – go back and try again or choose a new instrument
Case studies
Schools pilot, UK
For our 2026 schools pilot, we worked with Year 7 pupils and music teachers across 11 schools in Leicester, Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire. Schools received VR headsets, teacher CPD and a structured Scheme of Work, using Virtual Orchestra Play Along alongside practical classroom music activities.
The pilot demonstrated strong engagement: 84% of pupils said they enjoyed the VR experience, and every participating teacher agreed that pupils enjoyed and actively participated in the sessions.
Find out moreThis has been a fantastic scheme to allow all students in Year 7 to experience what a live orchestral concert would feel like. Something that would not be accessible without the VR
Teacher
Families week, Southbank Centre
At a family half-term event at Southbank Centre, around 600 children of all ages experienced Virtual Orchestra: Play Along, stepping inside the Philharmonia Orchestra and trying their hand at playing along in VR. The activation showed how VOPA can work as a high-impact, drop-in experience for families, festivals and public events — combining immersive technology with a playful introduction to orchestral music.
Find out moreVery clever and interactive, learned new things about the instruments. Want to play timps now!
Participant
Commercial hire packages
Core Light
This is a content license-only package, giving you freedom to use the app in your headsets and run your event in your own way.
Pre-showcase
- Invitation to app channel two weeks in advance so you can load Virtual Orchestra onto your headsets
Showcase
- During your event’s run, you will have access to remote technical support from our VR technologists
Core
We guide you through pre-production and support the delivery of a small-scale event, providing a standardised Philharmonia branded format.
Pre-showcase
- One day (pro rata) liaison with our VR team for pre-event logistics
Showcase
- Hire of 10 pre-loaded headsets and all peripherals (headphones, chargers, etc.)
- Two VR technologists to run the activation*
- Standard, Virtual Orchestra branded event materials (banners, mats)
* You will need to provide at least one facilitator for visitor management (i.e., queue control)
Core +
Our premium, fully tailored service brings a large-scale Virtual Orchestra to your event, providing bespoke content and event materials.
Pre-showcase
- Two days (pro rata) liaison with our VR team for pre-event logistics
- Content bundle provided
Showcase
- Hire of 30 pre-loaded headsets and all peripherals (headphones, chargers, etc.)
- Five VR technologists to run the activation*
- Both Virtual Orchestra branded and bespoke event materials provided
* You will need to provide at least one facilitator for visitor management (i.e., queue control)
Schools and education packages
Pop up event
A full-day VR activation at your school, designed for enrichment days, music or arts days, assemblies and other whole-school events. Pupils can experience Virtual Orchestra: Play Along in scheduled groups throughout the day, giving multiple year groups — or potentially the whole school — the chance to step inside the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Pre event
- One day (pro rata) liaison with our VR team for pre-event logistics
Event
- One day hire of 30 pre-loaded headsets and all periferals
- One day hire of two VR technologists to run the activation
Six-week programme
A six-week programme for Year 7 music, giving your school everything needed to embed Virtual Orchestra: Play Along into classroom teaching.
What we provide
- In-person teacher CPD session with VR technologists
- 30 pre-loaded VR headsets for a full half term
- A curriculum-linked, complete Scheme of Work with lesson plans, student activities and supporting resources
Why hire Virtual Orchestra: Play Along for my school?
- 100% of teachers agreed Virtual Orchestra helped raise the profile of music within participating schools
- 85% students enjoyed the VR activities
- Created by a world-class orchestra, with the musical quality and educational credibility schools can trust
- Teacher training, technical guidance and support are built into the programme – helping schools adopt VR with confidence
It’s fit a hole in my full curriculum because I’ve wanted to be able to show students live music, but I just hadn’t been able to find the way.
Teacher
The feeling of being in the orchestra and getting to play with the rest of the band… it felt magical.
Student