Allentown Symphony, Da Vinci Science Center’s exhibition lets visitors perform ‘Ninth Symphony’

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ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Sixth-grader Anthony Mora Lopez had only been playing the flute for El Sistema Lehigh Valley three months when he found himself inside a full symphony orchestra — or at least, a digital version of one.

Anthony, a South Mountain Middle School student, said he loves how “fluid” the flute sounds, especially when played by professionals.

But on Thursday evening, Anthony got to feel like one himself inside “Become a Musician,” the Da Vinci Science Center’s newest immersive exhibit, created in collaboration with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra.

“It’s pretty immersive,” he said.

“It’s like becoming an avatar — and it’s kind of like video games, so that makes it really cool.”

Anthony and his fellow musicians from El Sistema Lehigh Valley — Allentown Symphony’s free after-school program started in 2011 — rotated through stations, teaching attendees at Thursday’s preview of the new exhibition inside the Da Vinci Science Center, at 815 Hamilton St.

The interactive experience lets museum-goers become a part of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” as they isolate instruments and watch a projection of the orchestra — and themselves that is captured via a quick selfie — spread across a 54-foot wall.

A ‘first-of-Its-kind’ collaboration

Da Vinci Science Center Chief Executive Officer Lin Erickson said seeing young musicians respond so instantly is on-brand for both organizations.

“This interactive experience is a unique collaboration between a premier science and music organization in the Lehigh Valley,” Erickson said.

“Learning is most powerful when it’s hands-on, joyful, and unexpected.”

The installation links science and art — from sound waves to rhythm patterns — and introduces classical music to new audiences in a way that feels natural, not intimidating, Erickson said.

Allentown Symphony Orchestra Music Director Diane Wittry said Thursday’s event offered a glimpse into the future of music education.

“There is nothing like this in the entire United States,” Wittry said.

She said she wanted to remove obstacles that keep people — especially children — from experiencing orchestral music.

“This takes away the barriers,” she said. “People can control their experience — how long they stay, what they listen for — and everyone can access great music.”

Four years in the making

Wittry’s vision for “Become a Musician” started four years ago at a League of American Orchestras conference, where, she said, a session on immersive experiences “blew her mind.”

She said she returned to the symphony energized by the idea of bringing audiences “inside” the music — removing the barriers of cost, schedule and formality that often prevent people from attending symphony concerts.

She said that when she learned the Da Vinci Science Center was constructing a flexible black-box exhibit space, the spark became a plan.

Wittry said she envisioned a partnership that lets visitors stand in the middle of Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony,” and hear instruments isolate and swell.

The symphony’s version of Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” was recorded at Miller Symphony Hall in 2024 using more than 30 microphones, capturing each instrument so visitors can isolate them, Wittry said.

The “Become a Musician” exhibition represents about $306,000 in production work, made possible through donor support.

Admission to the Da Vinci Science Center costs $22 online or $24 in-person.

Discounts are available for groups, schools, and qualifying low-income families through the Access for All program.

To learn more about the “Become A Musician” exhibition, visit the Da Vinci Science Center website.