ARE YOU ALIVE: Bridging the Gap Between Cinema and the Concert Hall

Written By Nick Keller

Nick Keller

February 10, 2026 · 6 min read

Today we’re announcing the official launch of the tiered performance structure for ARE YOU ALIVE, a new orchestral experience designed to adapt to any venue, from regional pops to major symphony halls.

TL;DR: The program is now available in three distinct formats—Essential (Strings/Piano), Hybrid (Orchestra + Synths/Visuals), and Symphonic (90-piece grandeur). This allows organizations to scale the experience based on budget and technical capacity while retaining the core emotional narrative.

Listen to the full program here.

Why This Matters

For the past 50 years, concert programming has been built around a specific formula—overture, concerto, intermission, symphony. These principles remain the bedrock of the institution.

But modern audiences represent a fundamental shift.

Unlike traditional patrons who attend for the repertoire history, younger demographics are driven by narrative and immersion.

We understand that with the great power of a full orchestra comes a great responsibility to remain relevant. Done wrong, a pops concert feels like a cover band.

ARE YOU ALIVE extends what your season can offer—from intimate storytelling to massive, wall-of-sound spectacle. But with that scale comes complexity.

Programming is a balancing act of budget, rehearsal time, and audience draw. A rigid program could:

  • Blow the rehearsal budget

  • Alienate core subscribers

  • Fail to utilize technical assets (projection/lighting)

  • Feel "too small" for a gala or "too big" for a regional tour

As the demand for film-score style music grows, so does the need for flexibility. We’re not waiting for this to become a booking objection.

How It Works

When you book ARE YOU ALIVE, you choose the tier that fits your season:

  • The Essential Edition — The score is stripped to its melodic core. A string section (min. 4/4/3/2/1), piano, and soloist create a raw, acoustic atmosphere. Ideally suited for donor events or intimate venues where the connection between player and listener is paramount.

  • The Cinematic Hybrid — A bridge between the concert hall and the cinema. We utilize a custom-produced synth and percussion backing track (playback) to augment a standard-sized orchestra. This tier creates a "blockbuster" sound without the massive personnel cost, synchronized with a 4K visual package that underscores the narrative.

  • The Symphonic Experience — The uncompromising realization of the work. We unleash the full power of a 90-piece symphony orchestra, replacing synthesized elements with live counterparts. Expanded brass, triple winds, and a thunderous cinematic percussion battery. This is the definitive version.

Every tier is professionally engraved to MPA standards and includes the necessary technical assets (click tracks, video files, stems) for seamless integration.

What This Is—And What It Isn’t

What this provides:

  • A Marketing Partnership — I provide trailers, social cuts, and press kits.

  • Audience Engagement — I am available for pre-concert talks and press interviews.

  • Production — Pre-mixed audio stems and time-coded video files.

  • A Signal of Intent — You are investing in the future of the repertoire.

The Bigger Picture

This program is part of a broader initiative to redefine the "Modern American" concert. In the coming months, we’ll be releasing:

  • A comprehensive marketing kit for box office teams

  • A behind-the-scenes documentary on the creation of the score

  • Educational outreach materials for local youth orchestras

We’ve designed this not just as a 30-minute program, but as a vehicle for emotional connection.

For Artistic Directors

If you program ARE YOU ALIVE, the logistics are designed to be frictionless. Here’s how it works:

  • Rehearsal Efficiency: The writing is idiomatic. It sounds polished with minimal rehearsal time.

  • Tech Specs: For Hybrid/Symphonic tiers, we provide a rock-solid, conductor-friendly click track (Pro Tools or Stems).

  • Visuals: 4K video files are delivered in your preferred codec (ProRes/H.264).

We expect some questions regarding the electronics—integration is easier than you think. If your production manager has concerns, have them reach out to us at nickkellermusic@gmail.com and we’ll walk them through the rider.

Thank You

We’re grateful to the musicians and directors who have already expressed interest. Your orchestras bring this music to life, and we’re proud to bring this flexibility to your stages.

What’s Next

This is the beginning of the 2026/2027 booking season. We’re committed to making this the most impactful program in your repertoire.

Questions about the rider? nickkellermusic@gmail.com

Request Perusal Score: nickfkeller.com/booking

— Nick

Ready to program ARE YOU ALIVE? Get the perusal score with a single click.

Nick Keller
Next

ARE YOU ALIVE