World's First Broadcast of Live Science Lesson via Facebook From Royal Albert Hall a Success

LONDON, October 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The Royal Albert Hall today broadcast the world's first science lesson streamed live via Facebook to classrooms across the world.

The 15 minute lesson about the science of sound was carried out in the world famous venue's Elgar Room in front of an online audience of thousands including participation from schools as far afield as New York and Hong Kong, as well as a live audience of schoolchildren from local schools in Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham boroughs. Over 300,000 Twitter impressions were made during the lesson with #RAHScience which gathered live questions and feedback. 

The lesson is one of several initiatives being run by the Hall to expand its reach outside of London and fulfil its aims as a charity to increase access, innovation and education in the arts and sciences.

Lucy Noble, Head of Programming and Education at the Royal Albert Hall said: "We already work with over 100,000 children each year, predominantly in London, and the science lesson allows us to extend this further, across the country and even the world. As a charity committed to providing education of the arts and sciences, we hope for this to be the first of many live broadcasts."

Notes to editor:

Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall is the world's most famous stage. Its breathtaking auditorium hosts over 370 shows a year by the world's greatest artists. The magical atmosphere combined with inspired artists creates legendary events.

Opened in 1871 as part of Prince Albert's vision for a centre for the Arts and Sciences, the Hall is a registered charity which operates without public funding, remaining true to his founding ambitions within a modern context. Extending the brand with 200 events outside the auditorium, the Hall has broadened its appeal to younger, diverse audiences whilst still engaging its existing customers.

The Hall also offers the Elgar Room, a state-of-the-art small-scale performance space which hosts performances of classical music, jazz and world music, comedy, dance and hush, a series of gigs for just signed bands throughout the year. In the main auditorium, it offers the Albert Sessions, an initiative that encourages up and coming acts to play at the Hall by offering reduced rental fees to promoters and lower ticket prices to encourage younger audiences to visit the Hall. It also works extensively with schools, young people, disadvantaged groups and partners such as Music For Youth through its Education programme, reaching over 100,000 participants each year as part of its extensive public benefit remit. It has also been appointed by the Arts Council as one of the country's regional music education hubs.

For more information, please visit http://www.royalalberthall.com