A Guardian writer trialled Virtual Orchestra, a new VR headset experience created by the Philharmonia Orchestra that lets participants "play" percussion instruments such as timpani, cymbal or triangle alongside the ensemble during a performance of Rossini's William Tell Overture. Though primarily a novel audience-engagement gimmick, the technology's main purpose is educational, forming part of a curriculum-linked programme designed to spark children's interest in classical music and encourage them to take up real instruments amid falling participation in school music.

The Philharmonia, founded in 1945 as a "recording orchestra", has a history of embracing technology, previously offering immersive digital displays at venues like the Science Museum. The headset scheme responds to research showing GCSE Music entries have fallen 27% since 2010, and forms part of the orchestra's involvement in the Orchestra in Every School programme. A pilot across 12 schools in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire involved 428 Year 7 pupils, 75% of whom had never attended a classical concert; afterwards, 96% said they were likely to attend one and 60% felt inspired to learn an instrument.