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Eric Whitacre

Composer, Conductor, Lecturer

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Advice for the Emerging Composer, Part II: youngcomposers.com

December 7, 2008 at 9:35 pm UTC

Not six hours after I had posted my “Advice for Emerging Composers: Notation” article I received an email letting me know that a lively debate over it had already begun in the forum section of youngcomposers.com. The internet truly moves at dizzying speeds.

I went over and checked out their forum, and the rest of the site, and I think it’s a fantastic resource for the young (or emerging) composer. A clean interface, lots of interesting articles, and best of all, a passionate, involved online community.

www.youngcomposers.com

What a great time to be a composer…

  • http://www.youngcomposers.com Connor Lidell

    Mr, Whitacre,

    I have to confess that it was I who posted it at youngcomposers.com and I only wanted to share your news with the rest of my composing family.

    Can't wait to see you in New York and Austin next year! (I am attending your world premiere in Austin and I am going to be taking part in your DCNY concert and best of all, I am going with Dinah Menger!)

    -Connor.

  • Matt W

    Y'know, I think you should get an account there. Browse it in your spare time. You've got a lot of fans over there, but more importantly, as an accomplished composer you can provide insight that few others can (the inexperienced far outnumber the experienced – hence "young" composers)

    Just a thought. Though I imagine you're busy enough already.

  • Connor L

    I agree with Matt.

  • Matt W

    That's because I have fantastic ideas 100% of the time.

  • Connor L

    Haha, I see. Well, Mr. Whitacre, I think all of us at YC would benefit your grace and knowledge.

  • Charles Daniel

    Mr. Whitacre,

    This has nothing to do with self compositons, but I just listened to "When David Heard" for the first time. I will have to say it brought me to tears. To lose a son, I imagine, would sound like this piece. Although this is not the only piece of yours that has inspired me. If you are ever in Birmingham, AL please come by the UAB department of music. Ha!

    Thank you,

    Charles Daniel

  • Thomas F

    I agree with Matt.
    And Connor. You should totally join YC, dude.

    I just listened to "When David Heard" and I had like three eargasms. Your music is so absolutely soulful it devastates my heart. Keep it up.

    If you're ever in Fremont, CA…heck, San Francisco, CA, FACEBOOK IT! Or at least leave me a FB message? :)

    Thanks so much for bringing your music to the world.
    Thomas

  • Matt Tressel

    Mr. Whitacre

    My name is Matt Tressel, I am 20 and studying music at university, however there are no composition programs at the university that I attend. I have found a your posted ideas, and pointers very helpful in my own compositional thinking. Throughout the years have had the opportunity to play many of your works in my high school band and now my university wind symphony, and your work has been a great inspiration to me.

    The reason I am writing is that I am going to be doing a project where I will look at technology of the 20th and now 21st century composer. If you are interested in answering a few questions concerning this just let me know.

    Thanks for inspiration

    Matt

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About Eric

Eric Whitacre is one of the most popular and performed composers of our time, a distinguished conductor, broadcaster and public speaker. His first album as both composer and conductor on Decca/Universal, Light & Gold, won a Grammy® in 2012, reaped unanimous five star reviews and became the no. 1 classical album in the US and UK charts within a week of release... full bio

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