We did a 5.1 Surround Sound video of an orchestra concert a few years back simply as a test to see if we might
enjoy adding 5.1 Surround Sound to our DVDs, and we were blown away by the results!  The effect on the
listener is astounding - it seems to put you right on the stage with the performers!  Acoustically, you are in the
position where the director is located, and what he/she heard during the concert is what you hear when you
watch the DVD.   You and your students will get to hear what the concert actually sounded like - from the
conductor's location!

Of course, you have to have a digital decoder in order to translate the AC3 DVD files into Surround Sound.  If you
have a home theater system, it is most likely designed to handle these files, and most DVD players today will
play the DVD-Rs we utilize.

To start with, we videotape the event using two professional, three-chip, digital video cameras (Sony DVX2100) mounted on quality fluid-motion camera tripods.  

Various microphone placements are possible (spaced pair, modified ORTF, Decca Tree, individual mics, etc.).  
A minimum of five tracks are made with professional microphones, but as many as 24 mics and tracks have
been positioned - based on the needs of the performance.  We have the equipment to simultaneously record
32 separate audio tracks, if needed.  Then, we take the digital audio tracks and position them around the
5.1 Surround Sound field.  What comes from the stage is heard all around you.  What comes from the
audience (ambient sounds, applause, etc.) comes from the stereo field directly behind you.  What was
performed from the stage to the left is reproduced at your left, and what was performed from the stage
to the right is reproduced at your right.  The impact of just listening to 5.1 audio is remarkable, but sync'ing
the sound up with the video of the performance takes the whole experience to a new level!

Nearly all of the video concert recording we do currently is done in 5.1 Surround Sound video.