Auckland Philharmonia is helping more concertgoers access Auracast™, a new audio broadcast service installed by Auckland Live at Auckland Town Hall.
Auracast™ transmits high-quality audio directly to compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds and headphones, helping make live performances more accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. Auckland Philharmonia will formally introduce the service to its audiences at its accessible daytime Morning Music concert on Wednesday 2 September.
Auracast™ is a new Bluetooth technology that enables audience members to receive high-quality audio of concerts directly to their Auracast™-compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds or headphones. Significantly easier to access than traditional hearing loop technology, the service offers deaf, hard‑of‑hearing, deafblind and neurodivergent concertgoers a clearer, more comfortable, uninterrupted and higher quality musical experience.
Auckland Live’s Technical Production team initiated and installed the Auracast™ system at Auckland Town Hall. The service has been available at concerts in the venue since late February, following early testing undertaken during Auckland Philharmonia concerts.
Auracast™ is available at all concerts in Auckland Town Hall. Auckland Philharmonia performances broadcast live by RNZ Concert provide an especially high-quality audio feed through the system.
Auckland Live Director Daniel Clarke says Auracast™ reflects Auckland Live’s commitment to making live performance more accessible.
“Live performance has the power to bring people together, and we want everyone to feel welcome and able to fully experience what happens in our venues.
“Auracast™ gives audiences more choice in how they listen and engage with a performance. We are pleased to see Auckland Philharmonia helping introduce more people to the technology and the difference it can make.”
Auracast™ is also available in the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre and Limelight Room at Aotea Centre. Auckland Live intends to introduce the technology across more of its venues over time.
Auckland Philharmonia is working with Auckland Live and its sponsor Resonate Health to help more concertgoers understand and access the service.
The orchestra’s Morning Music concert on Wednesday 2 September will give an invited audience from retirement homes, community organisations and special-interest groups an opportunity to experience Auracast™. A team from Resonate Health will be on hand to provide information about the new system and assist concertgoers with access.
Specially designed to be accessible, relaxed and enjoyable for music lovers who may prefer to attend events during the daytime, the orchestra’s Morning Music concerts are approximately one hour long, offer more wheelchair seating and have extra staff available to assist people with mobility needs.
Auckland Philharmonia’s Senior Director of Strategy & Engagement, Thomas Hamill, says, “We are thrilled to strengthen our ability to welcome diverse communities, deepen engagement and play a part in making the Auckland Town Hall, our home, one of the most inclusive concert venues in Aotearoa. It’s exciting that this new service also opens doors to future opportunities to expand the ways our audiences can engage with live orchestral music, including audio description, multilingual streams and guided commentary.
“We are proud to support our partners in this initiative, Auckland Live and Resonate Health, in making the Auckland Town Hall one of the first major public venues in Tāmaki Makaurau to offer this service.”