YouTube Symphony Orchestra

First up: the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. Billed as the world's first collaborative online orchestra, the program promises to "change the way musicians connect over the Internet."

All right, so here's the lowdown: YouTube is inviting musicians from across the globe to send in demo tapes of themselves performing two songs -- "The Internet Symphony," a composition written by Chinese composer for the competition, and a second piece of their own choosing. The winning performers will work with Dun and conductor to prepare for a performance at -- which, of course, will be broadcast worldwide on YouTube. Pianist and members of the will help lead the rehearsals.

Entries are being accepted from now through January 28, 2009. Professional classical musicians from all over the world will help select semifinalists from their own regions. Then, an online vote will determine the final Symphony Orchestra members.

The winners will spend three days at a YouTube-sponsored classical music summit in New York, which will end with the Carnegie Hall performance.