The Stolen Child: First Draft, pg. 7

February 17, 2008 at 5:02 pm UTC

This is page 7 from the first draft of The Stolen Child. It will undoubtedly change before publication (as will the rest of the piece), but this is exactly what the King’s Singers and the National Youth Chorus of Great Britain are looking at as they rehearse.

The Stolen Child page 7

athuran

Wow, my fingers are tingling.

That sounds incredible. I only have enough fingers to play the SATB (heck, I have enough trouble with JUST the SATB), but that chord in measure two .. my god, it's like that minor 2nd you were talking about in Leonardo that makes you go … I dunno how to describe that motion. But it's the kind that makes you cringe .. in a good way, if that makes sense.

Also, this is completely different. But I REALLY hope that your flight wasn't canceled or anything out of Kansas City. I woke up to a half a foot of snow and still more to come. We've been getting an unusually high amount of snow this winter, which was cool because we missed a bunch of school, but not really because the roads are absolutely awful with all the hills in Lawrence. Anyway, I wish you a safe flight, and I look forward to sending you my piece.

Thanks again for yesterday.

Sincerely,
Masa Ohtake
Free State High School
Lawrence, Kansas
Megan

Oh my goodness…
Like Masa, I don't have enough fingers to possibly hear it in its entirety as I should…but the change in the key was shocking – it sounded good though, just very unexpected. I think that is what makes this one of your pieces, even if it does sound different than the others; you keep the audience from being able to expect things. That's the best way to describe something undescribable, I suppose, but it's quite true.

During rehearsal yesterday, while you were with us at Free State, I was one of those random kids sitting in the corner of the choir room, but every thirty seconds or so I could feel a cold chill run through my body during 'Leonardo' (which is by far my favorite songs on the planet, and that's the honest truth). Your incredible ability to not only write something beautiful but extract even more beauty from the performers is…unbelievable. And to think that you aren't one of those truly lucky composers who grew up living and breathing music, practically born playing the piano and a dozen other instruments with ease, is absolutely inspiring to a girl who dreams of some day conducting and performing on a professional level. I've never had piano lessons or really any instrumental training but I can pick up instruments with relative ease, and being shadowed by geniuses with over a decade of training can be incredibly encouraging and disheartening as well. To be in your presence is absolutely and completely inspiring. I cannot wait to spread the joy of music to others the way you have given it to me.

Remember those sparkling waters you were drinking? There were many of us staring at them in awe after your abandoned them after rehearsal – a couple of the guys even pocketed an empty bottle because you had touched it. THAT'S how inspirational and how in awe of you Lawrence is.

You have no idea how grateful we all are that you came to Lawrence. Please, please come back soon, and I hope you make good on your idea of returning for another choir concert next year… ;)

Thank you so much.

Megan Bracciano
Symphonic Band/Women's Choir
Free State High School
Lawrence, KS
Luke

I plugged some into a piano on Finale… really really cool. This would be a perfect example to use in a counterpoint class.
Chris Jorns

Eric,

I know this has nothing to do with The Stolen Child or the King's Singers which I unfortunately had to miss while I was at TMEA, but I was a part of the Texas Tech University Choir that sang with you this weekend, and even though I briefly expressed my excitement and appreciation of your musical talent before your workshop, I wanted to again tell you that it awesome working with you. I know I can speak on behalf of the choir and Dr. Dickson that it was a privledge being your demonstration choir in front of the TMEA audience. And as a future choir director, I can't wait to have my choirs perform your works!

Peace.
Julie

Eric,
It's a small world and the internet is the amazing connection tool. We were at our son's Chess Tournament today where Brian Svehaug was coaching and had your music on his IPOD. He also said that Andrew was in Kansas working with you. I had not heard your music before or maybe I had but did not know it was yours. Enjoyed it greatly and will have to get an album. I also read some info about your Stolen Child work and all the work you do with Choirs and other productions. There was an amazing production done in L.A. in March of 2006 and music composed by John Stothers. I don't know if it would be of any interest to your choir connections but if you have a moment, take a look at http://www.WhatisPilgrim.com…it's unique. Thanks and we are grateful for the "chess club" connection.

Julie
http://coupdegrace.wordpress.com/ Maggie

Wow…this looks so cool! When I heard you were doing a commission for the King's Singers, I was so excited. I've loved the King's Singers for almost my whole life. I thought, King's Singers + Eric Whitacre…oh yes. :-)
Good luck!

Maggie Burk
Eli Jones

Wow! That's all I can say! Your concert at the Lied Center with the Lawrence and KU ensembles was spectacular. It was an honor to speak with you, though it was only for a few seconds. I've been a fan for many years now and just wanted to say that your music is incredibly powerful and I can't wait to hear the new piece! It's being premiered on my birthday. Pretty cool. I was on your website and it has a section to download full MP3s of a few songs. When you try to access them, it requires a password. Are those downloads not available to the general public? Thanks and congratulations on your performance last weekend!
–Eli Jones
Cassie T.

I'm totally looking forward to working with you at Capital University in Ohio in March! My high school choir has been working this past month on the pieces we are to sing. Everyone is so ecstatic and that's all we ever talk about. God bless & see you soon! :)

Cassie Taylor

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