KeyComp Software Threatens to Eliminate Live Musicians from Musical Theatre Pits
KeyComp, created by ex-Apple engineer Christoph Buskies, enables musical theatre shows to minimize the number of live musicians in orchestra pits. A lone keyboardist can simultaneously play melodic lines alongside custom-recorded orchestral tracks. In Australia, the orchestra for The Lion King has shrunk from 17 musicians in 2003 to just 11 today. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, under James Steendam's leadership, is advocating for a ban on KeyComp in Australia, following its prohibition in New York, Washington DC, and Hamburg. Since 2003, musicians' earnings have dropped by 20-25%. While the software is banned on Broadway, producers in Los Angeles are required to pay a union levy. Additionally, the Australian tour of Beetlejuice the Musical was canceled due to expenses, concluding Tolmie's engagement on July 5.
Key facts
- KeyComp software developed by former Apple engineer Christoph Buskies allows a single keyboardist to perform with custom-recorded orchestral parts that interact dynamically.
- The Lion King's Australian pit orchestra reduced from 17 musicians in 2003 to 11 currently.
- MEAA federal president James Steendam calls for KeyComp to be banned or restricted in Australia.
- KeyComp is banned in New York, Washington DC, and Hamburg; in Los Angeles, producers must pay a union levy.
- Diana Tolmie, senior lecturer at Queensland Conservatorium, reports pit orchestras shrinking from 24-piece bands to smaller ensembles with fewer string and reed parts.
- Musicians' wages have fallen 20-25% in real terms since 2003, according to Steendam.
- Beetlejuice the Musical cancelled its Australian tour citing cost pressures; Tolmie's gig ends July 5.
- Generative AI programs like Suno and Udio are replacing musicians in gaming, film, TV, and advertising.
Entities
Artists
- Christoph Buskies
- James Steendam
- Diana Tolmie
- Lachlan Bramble
- Rod Davies
Institutions
- Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA)
- Queensland Conservatorium
- Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
- Symphony Orchestra Musicians' Association
- Monash University
- Apple
Locations
- Australia
- Sydney
- Capitol Theatre
- New York
- Washington DC
- Hamburg
- Los Angeles
- Brisbane
- Boston