At Carnegie Hall, April 15, 90 musicians from 30 countries will assemble to perform just days after meeting for the first time. What distinguishes this orchestra is how they were recruited: through YouTube.

According to the Financial Times, March 28, the YouTube Orchestra is the brainchild of a junior staffer in Google’s London office. From December 1 to February  “around 3,000 video auditions had been uploaded  from 71 countries” with some places organizing submissions with help days and instruction. Visit the YouTube Symphony Channel to view the auditions
and meet the successful orchestra members.

Turn 8 pages in last weekend’s FT Life & Arts section and find Google also changing the way life and work are lived.  An article titled “Farewell to the Office“  describes how Google Chrome lead developer, Lars Bak,  “from his farmhouse in the Danish countryside… quietly cleared the way for the next internet revolution”.  If you are interested in the changing world of work, life work balance and how Google innovates, the story is a must read. Highlights include bicycling to work, banning sugar from the office and having the work day end at 5pm.

What does it say about Google that its reach and innovation extend from developing a new Web browser out of  a Danish farmhouse, to assembling an orchestra of individuals from around the world via YouTube auditions? And let’s not overlook it’s  latest announcement:   Google Ventures.