Multiverse Concert Series

What Multiverse Concert Series does

Multiverse Concert Series is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019 by composer David Ibbett, Ph.D., that produces interdisciplinary concerts translating scientific data into orchestral music performed live at museums, planetariums, orchestras, and academic institutions. Its core technology is science data sonification — converting light spectra, Mars rover audio recordings, seismic measurements, neutrino detection signals, black hole data, and cellular imagery into musical compositions, typically by shifting frequencies into audible ranges (e.g., light wavelengths multiplied by 2^37 octaves). Productions are paired with immersive planetarium animations from the Charles Hayden Planetarium team and delivered in multiple orchestration scales ranging from a quintet with electronics to a 70-piece full symphony. The portfolio spans ten named productions including Black Hole Symphony, Mars Symphony, Octave of Light, Quantum Concert, Cellular Dance, Reef Music, Climate Hope Concert, and Neutrino Music, each tied to collaborations with research institutions such as NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, Fermilab, MIT, WPI, Boston University, and the Curie Institute of Paris.

The organization operates with a small team of approximately five full-time staff led by Ibbett, who holds the unique distinction of being both the first Guest Composer at Fermilab (2020) and the first Resident Composer at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (2023). Its go-to-market is event-driven: live concerts are booked directly with orchestras, museums, and universities for national and international touring, while digital reach extends through YouTube, Bandcamp, and an emerging Multiverse Concert App that turns audience smartphones into synchronized speakers. Revenue derives from a mix of ticket sales and performance fees, tax-deductible individual donations, institutional grants and in-kind support, and free or subsidized K-12 school visits facilitated by the Director of Education. Marketing is predominantly earned media, with coverage in Nature, the Boston Globe, New Scientist, Forbes, GBH News, and NPR.

Name

Multiverse Concert Series

Legal name

Multiverse Concert Series

Website

https://multiverseseries.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Multiverse Concert Series is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces interdisciplinary concerts sonifying scientific data into orchestral music, serving museums, planetariums, orchestras, K-12 schools, and research institutions including NASA JPL and Harvard-Smithsonian.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts & Science Communication

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Musical Groups and Artists (711130)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Concerts & Music Festivals (Livestreamed Performances) (MPAGAOAD), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

Keywords

• Data sonification concerts
• Science music performances
• Interdisciplinary arts science
• Orchestral science communication
• Immersive educational concerts

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Concert Tickets and Performance Fees: Revenue from ticket sales at live concert events and licensing/performance fees charged to host institutions such as museums, planetariums, and orchestras. Multiple performance versions are offered: full symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, or quintet with electronics.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Multiverse relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals and institutional supporters. A summer campaign set a $20,000 year-end goal for 2026/27 initiatives including school programs, orchestral tours, and seasonal concerts.
3. Institutional Grants and Backer Support: Funding and in-kind support from institutional backers including NASA JPL, Museum of Science, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, WPI, MIT, and other academic and cultural institutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Multiverse Concert Series produces interdisciplinary concerts that translate scientific data (e.g., black holes, exoplanets, Mars, neutrinos, climate, genomes, brain activity) into orchestral and electronic music paired with immersive planetarium-style visuals. The organization develops and presents these productions as live public performances, as touring productions licensed to partner orchestras, museums, and science centers, and through digital audio/video releases, alongside an education program for K-12 schools and communities.

Product overview

Multiverse Concert Series is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that produces interdisciplinary concerts interweaving live music, immersive visuals, and live science presentations for audiences of all ages. The portfolio consists of multiple named concert productions and projects, each focusing on different scientific themes: astronomy-focused productions (Black Hole Symphony, Mars Symphony, Octave of Light, Voice of the Universe, Quantum Concert), biological sciences (Cellular Dance, Symphony of Cells), environmental science (Reef Music, Climate Hope Concert), and physics (Neutrino Music). All productions share a core technology of data sonification—translating scientific images and measurements into music—and feature collaborations with research institutions including NASA JPL, Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Fermilab, and Boston University. The company's offerings range from full symphonic productions with 70-piece orchestras to intimate chamber concerts and digital albums.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Multiverse Concerts: Live performances combining music and science

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 audience members reached across 30+ performances of Black Hole Symphony
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NASA JPL is a core research collaborator for Mars Symphony, providing Perseverance rover audio recordings, MOLA altimeter data, seismic measurements, and scientific consultation. JPL Director Laurie Leshin provides narration for the production. JPL hosted Multiverse for a concert and research collaboration visits.
• ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ETH Zurich researchers (Dr. Amir Khan) contributed Mars seismology research data for incorporation into Mars Symphony compositions.
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024David Ibbett is an Assistant Professor of Music at WPI. WPI collaborated on Mars Symphony (providing research and venue) and commissioned Aeolian Symphony I from Ibbett performed by the WPI Concert Band. WPI students contribute to Multiverse projects including app development.
• Black Hole InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Astrophysicists from the Black Hole Initiative (including Peter Galison, Fabio Pacucci, Priya Natarajan, Dan Schwartz) provided scientific consultation and data for Black Hole Symphony. Dr. Peter Galison spoke at Climate Hope Concert on regenerative astrophysics.
• Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & SmithsoniancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023David Ibbett named first Resident Composer at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian in 2023. The center provides scientific data, research consultation, and venue access (Great Refractor telescope) for multiple productions including Octave of Light, Voice of the Universe, Black Hole Symphony, and Mars Symphony.
• Museum of Science, BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Primary co-producing partner for Black Hole Symphony, Mars Symphony, and multiple virtual concerts. The Museum of Science provides the Charles Hayden Planetarium venue and animation team for immersive visuals. Multiverse programs are described as a 'quick staple and highlight' of the museum's Adult Programming.
• Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020David Ibbett was the first Guest Composer at Fermilab (2020), creating the Neutrino Music album using particle physics data. Fermilab provided research access and podcast promotion for the MicroBooNE composition.
• Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramingham State University's Christa McAuliffe Center is a key venue and program partner. Irene Porro, Director of the Center, serves on the Multiverse Board. The center hosted Climate Hope Concert 2023 and Mars Symphony performances in immersive learning environments.
• System SoundssupportingTechnology or IntegrationAstrophysical animations by Matt Russo of System Sounds featured in Voice of the Universe project, providing visualization and sonification of astronomical data.
• Boston University — Davies Marine Population Genomics LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Sarah Davies of Boston University's Davies Marine Population Genomics Lab is the scientific collaborator for Reef Music, a production celebrating coral reef science and restoration. Dr. Davies and Dr. Hannah Aichelman presented at Climate Hope Concert 2023 on coral regeneration.
• Harvard University — Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Marissa Gredler of Harvard's Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology is the scientific collaborator for Cellular Dance: Rosetta (2025), exploring cell biology through music and multimedia ballet.
• UMass Boston — Biology DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCell biologist Alexey Veraksa of UMass Boston Biology was the scientific collaborator for Cellular Dance: The Fold (2019), exploring cell signaling in the embryo for treatments of developmental conditions.
• Curie Institute of PariscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with the Curie Institute of Paris for Music of the Genome, a live concert of music and science hosted by the Museum of Science, Boston, premiering in May 2022.
• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT provides faculty collaborations including Dr. Irmgard Bischofberger (MIT Fluids Lab) for art/science projects, and MIT Kavli Institute through Irene Porro's prior role. Dr. David I. Kaiser of MIT Physics serves as keynote speaker for Quantum Concert.
• CLOT MagazinesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCLOT Magazine co-presented Other Skies: An International Festival of Science, Art & Music (March 2021), an online festival of exoplanet-themed art, science, and music.
• SciArt InitiativesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSciArt Initiative co-presented Other Skies festival, providing a 501c3 nonprofit platform for bridging arts and sciences through exhibitions and events.
• Integral StepssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic-focused nonprofit organization co-presented Other Skies festival, offering integrative learning experiences for children, families, and professionals.
• New Art CitysupportingTechnology or IntegrationOnline multiplayer exhibition space provider for the Other Skies festival, creating an immersive 3D digital gallery for exoplanet-themed art and live-streamed performances.
• WBUR (Boston University NPR Affiliate)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWBUR Cityspace served as host venue for the inaugural Climate Hope Concert 2023. WBUR provided concert photos and promotional support for the event.
• MathWorkssupportingTechnology or IntegrationMultiverse team members Raja Palanimurugan (videographer/photographer) works in the Signal Processing and Communications group at MathWorks. MathWorks audio algorithm development tools support production quality.
• Encore Artists ManagementsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDavid Ibbett is represented by Encore Artists Management for booking performances and appearances.
• Science Museum of VirginiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience Museum of Virginia hosted David Ibbett's talk on the science behind Octave of Light and provided promotional support for the exoplanet music project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Exploratorium: San Francisco-based museum of science, art, and human perception known for pioneering science communication programming including After Dark adult programming and artist-in-residence programs. Comparable as an established science-communication institution creating interdisciplinary adult programming where Multiverse's partner Museum of Science Boston sits in similar territory.
• Lincoln Center Education: Education and community programming arm of Lincoln Center producing K-12 and family programming that integrates music with broader learning outcomes. Comparable in providing free/subsidized music education programming to schools and community audiences as Multiverse's K-12 Education Program does.

Direct peers

• Roomful of Teeth: Vocal ensemble commissioning new vocal works that explore extended vocal techniques and global singing traditions. Comparable as a Grammy-winning nonprofit vocal ensemble producing original, themed concert programs with touring and institutional partnerships.
• Kronos Quartet: Premier contemporary classical string quartet known for commissioning and performing new works that often intersect with science, film, and global traditions. Directly comparable as a presenting/performing ensemble that builds original concert experiences around contemporary and interdisciplinary themes, with comparable touring and educational programming.
• The Knights: Brooklyn-based chamber orchestra known for innovative programming and collaborative projects with composers and artists. Directly comparable touring orchestral ensemble producing themed concert experiences; Multiverse team member Megan Conley is currently harpist of The Knights.
• Bang on a Can: New music presenting organization commissioning and touring interdisciplinary contemporary works, including genre-crossing and multimedia projects. Closely comparable as a nonprofit producing new music experiences for diverse audiences with touring, education, and live event programming.
• Alarm Will Sound: Contemporary chamber orchestra commissioning and performing new works that often intersect with technology, science, and multimedia. Comparable as a chamber orchestra with a portfolio of themed interdisciplinary concert productions similar to Multiverse's sonification-based programs.
• Third Coast Percussion: Grammy-winning percussion ensemble commissioning and performing new works, with deep engagement in science-themed projects including collaborations with physicists. Highly comparable touring percussion ensemble producing science-crossover concert experiences similar to Multiverse's approach.
• Silkroad Ensemble: Global music ensemble founded by Yo-Yo Ma creating touring concert programs that fuse musical traditions with storytelling and education. Comparable as a nonprofit touring ensemble producing themed concert experiences with educational outreach and institutional partnerships.

Emerging players

• System Sounds: Sonification project by astrophysicist Matt Russo translating astronomical data into sound and music. Directly comparable technology focus (data sonification); Multiverse has featured System Sounds' astrophysical animations in Voice of the Universe, indicating overlapping methodology and partnership potential.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MultiverseConcertSeries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/multiverse-concert-series

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Multiverse Concert Series