But the stage is set for one of the the world's first "laptop orchestras" and the largest of its kind to perform at York University. Computer giant Apple has joined forces with the university to allow 50 music students from York to perform three orchestral pieces on laptop computers this month.

Billed as the largest digital ensemble of its kind anywhere in the world, The Worldscape Laptop Orchestra will perform new music also written with laptops supplied by the computer corporation.

The multimedia performance has been created by students of the Department of Music at York in just five weeks. WLO is designed and directed by Dr Ambrose Field, an award-winning composer from the department.

Video cameras built into the laptops will translate the hand movements of performers into music events. The laptops even communicate with the university's website and each other using wireless connections, allowing the concerts to be streamed live on the internet.

The laptop-equipped musicians will be surrounded by video screens, which promises to create a stunning spectacle.

Dr Field said: "The computers become musical instruments in this performance.

"We set out to push the boundaries of human interaction with computers in the WLO, enabling 50 people to explore musical performance in a way which was previously not possible."

Paul McFadden of Apple said it was another example of how the corporate and academic world could collaborate.

He added: "This project is exciting for us because it's innovation at its most creative – it opens up a whole new vista of using technology in performance."

York University's business development manager, Philip Morris, said: "Digital processing has become an art form."