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The Virtual Choir: How We Did It
Posted on March 23, 2010 at 11:54 pm
In the 48 hours since we posted the Lux Aurumque Virtual Choir video soaringleap.com has seen an extraordinary number of new visitors. (Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest and linked here, especially mashable.com and Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Dish). I thought I would take this opportunity to welcome everyone, and give a brief explanation as to how the Virtual Choir came to be.
Last year a friend emailed me a link to this video, the lovely Britlin Losee singing the soprano part to Sleep, an a cappella choral work I wrote in 2000:
I kind of freaked out, because it occurred to me that if 100 people all recorded their respective parts (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass) we could line them all up and create a virtual choir. So I asked everyone to buy the same recording of Sleep from iTunes, a beautiful performance by the superb British choir Polyphony. Singers from around the world posted their individual parts, simply singing along to the recorded piece. Scott Haines volunteered to cut it together. Here’s how it came out:
I was thrilled (it actually sounded like music!), and I wanted to see if we could push the concept to the next level. So this time, I made my own conductor track, filming it in complete silence, hearing the music only in my head. Then I watched the video and played in the piano accompaniment part to my conductor track:
Then I offered the sheet music as a free download. As singers began posting their individual tracks, I called for ‘auditions’ for the soprano solo. Melody Meyers from Tennessee posted my favorite entry:
My goal with this ‘chapter’ of the Virtual Choir was to see if we could not just sing our parts separately and cut them together; I wanted to see if we could actually make music. There is a lot of rubato in my conducting (slowing down, speeding up) and some very specific dynamic gestures, and the singers responded beautifully. Here’s the final product:
When I saw the finished video for the first time I actually teared up. The intimacy of all the faces, the sound of the singing, the obvious poetic symbolism about our shared humanity and our need to connect; all of it completely overwhelmed me. And it must be said that a lot of the credit for its beauty should go to Scottie Haines, who spent untold hours editing and polishing the video. (BTW, Scottie and I have never met only met once in the ‘real world’, unlike 99% of the Virtual Choir, whom I’ve never ‘met’).
Lastly, I’m hoping that this is just the beginning. My ultimate goal is to write an original piece for the Virtual Choir and have it receive its world premiere in cyber-space, hundreds (maybe thousands) of people singing alone, together.
Woo hoo!
189 Comments
Scott Haines on March 23, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Actually, Eric.. we have met in person. Lawrence, Kansas, February 2008, I think it was. Here is the picture: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2339090&…
Gary Stone on May 6, 2010 at 12:30 am
Scott… fantastic job of collecting and managing all the assets for this project. As a chorus singer myself (Masters of Harmony in So. Calif. ) and video producer, I have a keen interest in the technical aspects of your presentation. Here's my question… the video quality is of all the submissions seem to be all over the map, but the audio quality is more consistent. How was the audio handled? It's hard to believe the on-camera mics were the sole source of the recordings.
Congrats on creating a very unique work! Cheers…
Tank on August 4, 2010 at 4:34 am
Hi Scott –
Just following up with Gary’s comment, would you be so kind as to elaborate on how you handled the audio component and made it so consistent? It seems like it would be hard to coordinate so many sources with everybody having different mics/webcams etc!
Really an amazing piece…kudos!!!
-Tank
Jamie Allen on August 11, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Dear Scott,
I am looking to do a similar project that would involve live string performers and a virtual orchestra of alumni from our Young Strings program. I am starting to assemble a team of technicians that could help with this, but I feel we could greatly benefit from your experience and would love to know about challenges, pitfalls, lessons learned, etc. that you would be willing to share.
-Jamie Allen
Director of Education
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Sam on March 23, 2010 at 5:32 pm
"(…never met in the ‘real world’, and the same goes for 99% of the singers)."
That's me! Wooo!
Brad Sampson on March 23, 2010 at 5:53 pm
The sound worked really well together! I also really love the video- how it looks like a choir. It's quite a masterpiece. The internet is great! Thanks to Mr. Whitacre and Mr. Haines!
J. Pisano on March 23, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Eric,Scottie, Brad, and all,
What a truly amazing accomplishment for you all, music, education, technology and "Web 2.0". This will be played in all of my under-graduate classes tomorrow at Grove City. It's lighting up all of the music blogs and the twittersphere is on fire about your work! It won't be long before the YouTube hits are over 100,000 then 1,000,000!
A couple of questions… What software/hardware was used for this compilation? How long did it take to piece together and how long was the final render of so many video clips?
Again, congratulations on such a ground breaking accomplishment!
J. Pisano -MusTech.Net
Raz on March 23, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I will support you 100% when the day comes that you allow people like me to have the honor of fulfilling your ultimate goal by singing that orginal vitual choir piece! I have enjoyed performing on the past two projects and I am honored to have such opportunities to perform for you. Kudos to you and Scottie!
Eric Whitacre’s virtual choir « verb. sap. on March 24, 2010 at 1:47 am
[...] going on? This is Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir, so let’s have Eric explain how it came to [...]
Virtual Choir at oboeinsight on March 24, 2010 at 2:59 am
[...] “How We Did It” [...]
Scott Haines on March 23, 2010 at 8:50 pm
HAHAHAHAHA… I love the how you crossed out 'never met' and fixed it. Nice!
Paige on March 23, 2010 at 9:37 pm
It was a privilege to be able to be a part of this, and it was a lot of fun too! Thank you for the opportunity and I definitely plan on being a part of this for however many pieces!
Courtney Lea on March 23, 2010 at 10:26 pm
OMG! I'm so glad to be apart of this beautiful and stunning project! I can't wait to continue in it some more!
You're actually going to write a piece for the virtual choir?!?!?! OMG! OMG! OMG! lol
Susan B. on March 23, 2010 at 10:42 pm
All of these separate entities coming together as one unit. The concept and final product are amazing and beautiful.
Fascinant : la chorale virtuelle de YouTube | Presse-Citron on March 24, 2010 at 7:19 am
[...] un compositeur de musiques a capella, explique dans son blog le processus détaillé de création de ce Virtual Choir, fondé sur sur l’enregistrement [...]
Chor 2.0 « Bachmichels Haus on March 24, 2010 at 7:21 am
[...] Making of und alle Details könnt ihr im Blog von Eric Whitcare nachlesen, das Werk schon hier bestaunen: Herzlich willkommen… in [...]
The Tunnel Singer - on March 24, 2010 at 2:48 am
My heart is captured! So beautiful. So moving. Thank you.
What Did They Tweet? | Teacher Reboot Camp on March 24, 2010 at 11:01 am
[...] and produced by Scott Haines will show you what I mean by a collaborative masterpiece. Read the rest of the story of how this was created here. You may also want to see the collaborative video masterpiece my PLN [...]
Jeffrey Howard on March 24, 2010 at 5:19 am
Dear Eric,
Please involve me next time. I'm a professional musician in Cardiff, Wales and think this is all great!
Jeff Howard
Compare Satellite TV on March 24, 2010 at 5:29 am
it's so amazing and beautiful :)
Jennifer Hartnett on March 24, 2010 at 6:05 am
BRAVO! What an amazing compilation of love and beauty.
Matt W on March 24, 2010 at 6:35 am
singing alone, together
ah how poetic
250 Youtuber dirigieren | netzfeuilleton.de on March 24, 2010 at 3:00 pm
[...] Leitung ”Lux Aurumque” singen. Wer wissen will wie das genau funktioniert hat, finder auf seinem Blog die Entstehungsgeschichte. [via] Mit anderen [...]
Never Yet Melted » Wednesday, March 24, 2010 on March 24, 2010 at 3:02 pm
[...] How it was made (link). [...]
YouTube Clips Create a Virtual Choir – GigaOM on March 24, 2010 at 6:02 pm
[...] talks about his inspiration for this virtual choir in this blog post. The Lux Aurumque video is actually the second time the composer has put together such a virtual [...]
YouTube Clips Create a Virtual Choir – GigaOM on March 24, 2010 at 6:02 pm
[...] talks about his inspiration for this virtual choir in this blog post. The Lux Aurumque video is actually the second time the composer has put together such a virtual [...]
YouTube Clips Create a Virtual Choir – GigaOM on March 24, 2010 at 6:02 pm
[...] talks about his inspiration for this virtual choir in this blog post. The Lux Aurumque video is actually the second time the composer has put together such a virtual [...]
Every so often… « Neurons Firing on March 24, 2010 at 6:08 pm
[...] I hope you enjoy Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir – ‘Lux Aurumque’. Eric describes here “how we did [...]
Marina on March 24, 2010 at 11:51 am
I am an astrologer and for the first time I heard relly Music of the Spheres. Thank you!
links for 2010-03-24 : Bob Plankers, The Lone Sysadmin on March 24, 2010 at 7:00 pm
[...] The Virtual Choir: How We Did It « SoaringLeap.com I've been an Eric Whitacre fan for some time, ever since hearing "Water Night" performed. It's cool to see this work of his, and that everybody is excited about it. Lots of editing, that's for sure. [...]
Dan Clark on March 24, 2010 at 12:04 pm
for the next one, how about Franz Biebl's Ave Maria?
This would be a wonderful piece for the many voices of the choir.
Michael Mays on July 27, 2010 at 3:41 am
Dan, I agree. Eric's stuff is really cool, and Biebl's work is of the same caliber (if slightly different "flavor"). The Ave Maria is gorgeous! Of course, so is Javier Busto's. (It's slightly more chromatic and a bit more haunting, but not quite is "pretty." IMO.)
I'd never heard the Lux Aurumque before stumbling on this today. What an impressive and inspired idea. I'd love to participate in the next one! I'll have to send some of my students over here to check this out as well.
Coro virtual o hueco « Blog de Ergow.com on March 24, 2010 at 8:24 pm
[...] 24, 2010 · Dejar un comentario Si ellos pueden llevar la virtualidad al [...]
Kataweb.it - Blog - SNODI di Federico Badaloni » Blog Archive » Quando il social media diventa musica on March 24, 2010 at 9:23 pm
[...] Qui è spiegato nel dettaglio (in inglese) tutto il processo di creazione del coro. [...]
Rhonda Rossway on March 24, 2010 at 3:06 pm
What a concept….lets do it!
mattnielsen on March 24, 2010 at 3:16 pm
speaking of YouTube videos, have you seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqqSIJgmLfg&fe…
Coral virtual de 185 vozes « Eu Caio na Rede on March 25, 2010 at 1:38 am
[...] Para saber mais: http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/the-virtual-choir-how-we-did-it/ [...]
Coro virtual canta en YouTube “Lux Arumque” | Conexion Geek on March 25, 2010 at 5:06 am
[...] en el Carnegie Hall de Nueva York, ahora el compositor y director de orquesta Eric Whitacre con 185 vídeos de YouTube provenientes de 12 países, forma un coro en línea que canta “Lux [...]
yutakashino on March 24, 2010 at 11:03 pm
I was so moved by your "on-line" choir. Thank you, Eric. Thank you very much!
City Magazine Belgrade » Stotine pevaju zajedno, sami: The Virtual Choir on March 25, 2010 at 8:11 am
[...] Erik Vitejker, dirigent i kompozitor svetu je predstavio The Virtual Choir – projekat koji je podrazumevao uklapanje preko 240 snimaka učesnika iz 12 zemalja koji se nikada nisu međusobno sreli, ali su zajedno otpevali njegovu kompoziciju “Lux Aurumque” (Svetlost i zlato). Više o ideji i njenoj realizaciji možete pronaći ovde. [...]
Coro virtual canta en YouTube “Lux Arumque” | Pluma Papel on March 25, 2010 at 11:15 am
[...] debut en el Carnegie Hall de Nueva York, ahora el compositor y director de orquesta Eric Whitacre con 185 vídeos de YouTube provenientes de 12 países, forma un coro en línea que canta “Lux [...]
Zooglea » una definición de internet on March 25, 2010 at 11:24 am
[...] información sobre el proyecto en el blog del director. perpetrado por Taliesin @ 25/03/10 12:24 Esto es: Internet y Música Nadie dice nada [...]
A Virtual Choir – What a great combination of music and technology! - Steve's Stuff on March 25, 2010 at 11:29 am
[...] If you’re curious about how this all came together, check out the follow post on Mr. Whitacre’s blog: The Virtual Choir: How We Did It [...]
Deswing Blog | Coro virtual canta en YouTube “Lux Arumque” on March 25, 2010 at 12:33 pm
[...] debut en el Carnegie Hall de Nueva York, ahora el compositor y director de orquesta Eric Whitacre con 185 vídeos de YouTube provenientes de 12 países, forma un coro en línea que canta “Lux [...]
josefinfinfin on March 25, 2010 at 6:21 am
Wow, I just saw the video! And I really teared up when I saw first my best friends mother (Anna Olausson) and then my friend herself (Tove Lundström) among the altos. I really regret I didn't send in a video myself!
Lux Arumque: coro virtual con la suma de 185 voces de vídeos de YouTube - ABC Músicos on March 25, 2010 at 4:43 pm
[...] compositor y director de orquesta Eric Whitacre, ha formado un coro con con 185 vídeos de YouTube de cantantes voluntarios que se han prestado a colaborar en este proyecto. Con todas las muestras, [...]
Stephen Ransom on March 25, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Simply brilliant!
Uri Shalom on March 25, 2010 at 1:59 pm
So for those of us that (so sadly) missed the audition for Lux, when/how will we be able to get involved with the next endeavor?
Truly amazing… congrats.
deux ou trois trucs fous… « Your Music Hall's Blog on March 25, 2010 at 10:38 pm
[...] d’enregistrement savamment mixées… Si vous voulez en savoir plus sur le comment, lisez son BLOG en cliquant sur le mot [...]
Dave Losee on March 25, 2010 at 4:01 pm
The virtual choir concept has no limits! The thought of bringing voices and people from around the world who have never met is incredible. The collaboration between vocal parts, editing, time signatures, etc. is a huge undertaking. Scott Haines really deserves credit for his timestaking effort, resulting in a magnificent end product. I can't wait for what tomorrow brings. Superb job by all!
Lalalalala on March 25, 2010 at 11:52 pm
[...] Eric Whitacre jedenfalls ist hingegangen und hat Leute dazu aufgerufen, zusammen – und doch jeder für sich – ein Stück aufzunehmen. Am besten erklärt er es hier in seinem eigenen Blog: Klick. [...]
Maud on March 26, 2010 at 4:19 am
But how about the pleasure of singing together ?… Isn't it a little bit sad to be alone in front of the computer and not live the music together in live ? I hope technology will never replace a real choir !!
Hannah on March 26, 2010 at 7:22 am
This is amazing. The music itself is beautiful, and when combined with the completely new idea of a virtual choir it's just stunning. It brings the idea of a "global community" to the next level. I've watched it several times and probably will several more. Dr Silvestri sent it to me, and I've sent it on to everyone I know.
Courtney Lea on March 26, 2010 at 10:18 am
I just showed my choral director and she says that she admits that it was pretty cool, but she said she would have liked it a little more if you had dressed up a bit nicer! lol Leave it to a woman to criticize how you look XD
Steve on March 26, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Eric,
Have you considered doing this in real time, i.e. a real virtual choir? With appropriate hardware/software to remove the glitches and synchronize the data streams you could have a choir of 100K voices singing in real time around the world! I'm a hardware/software engineer (as well as a baritone/choir director) so I know this is possible. With some corporate support, this could be happen.
Bob Hayden-Gilbert on April 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Having explored this for my beginning band students around who use my iBegin® method, the biggest problem is the latency, but in this day and age, it must be possible. It would certainly be the most exciting online musical even ever. By the way, which program did you use to stitch the Virtual Choir together? Congratulations on doing such an amazing job.
Owen Sharpe on March 1, 2011 at 7:35 am
Hi Steve,
I'm interested in promoting choir tours; I think tours are such a wonderful learning experience.
Would it be difficult to achieve hardware/software that could allow one choir to sing to another and reply, a virtual choral conversation? This would allow an "introduction" and overcome the tyranny of distance to a certain extent.
Marturia.net » Funbulist Friday on March 26, 2010 at 7:37 pm
[...] Virtual choir – The online virtual choir video that’s been circling the internet is explained here by its creator. [...]
Global Voices Online » The Virtual Choir: Technology, Collaboration and Musicpor on March 27, 2010 at 4:02 am
[...] How We Did It he explains not only the process for the last iteration of his project but also the preceding [...]
Rose Ferguson on March 26, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I can't believe it…. a genius idea….. who would
imagine such a sound ? I just started to cry as
soon as Lux started. Celestial Sounds. I had
sung in choirs all of my life, until the end of my
college years, and there is no music that can
move me to tears faster than choral pieces.
And this virtual choir is beyond anything I could
ever dream up… thank you so much for this.
Rose Ferguson on March 26, 2010 at 10:27 pm
I just can't believe this….. genius idea…I started to cry and had goosebumps. Then I wrote every one I know. I love choral music and sometimes when I would be singing my alto part, tears would stream down my face. But this sound is different… celestial… just other wordly. Are you sure the angels in the heavens aren't singing with you ? I could swear I hear them.
The Virtual Choir: Technology, Collaboration and Music :: Elites TV on March 27, 2010 at 6:13 am
[...] How We Did It he explains not only the process for the last iteration of his project but also the preceding [...]
Genevieve on March 27, 2010 at 12:05 am
Reading this made my heart feel full. Thank you for this unparalleled experience.
Brian on March 27, 2010 at 7:19 am
Eric-
Can you have your video editor say a few words, or point
to a discussion about the video production?
Thanks!
brian
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir und Kutiman's Thru You Projekt | ANDERS|denken Business Blog on March 27, 2010 at 3:06 pm
[...] “I was thrilled (it actually sounded like music!), and I wanted to see if we could push the concept to the next level”, schreibt Eric in seinem Blog. [...]
tom on March 27, 2010 at 4:29 pm
I am an old man, yet every now and then something makes me feel optimistic. This presentation did so. Please, continue the experiment; you are making hope.
Time for Music « Junivers’s Blog on March 28, 2010 at 10:27 am
[...] This is how they made it [...]
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir. « Falk i spurveskjul on March 28, 2010 at 12:06 pm
[...] “Allerede første forsøg lød faktisk som musik,” fortæller Eric Whitacre på sin blog. Derefter ville han finde ud af, om det også lod sig gøre at få fortolkningen til at leve [...]
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir – ‘Lux Aurumque’ « germantrails on March 28, 2010 at 9:52 pm
[...] Eric Whitacreś Blog [...]
Duncan Basson on March 28, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Hello and thank you, Eric! Your creation is gorgeous and moving. I am a huge fan of choral music, masses in particular, from Byrd to Beethoven. Your virtual chorus feels like a tremendous opportunity to recapture the beauty of real music and take full advantage of this great technology at the same time. I agree completely with your description of the result: this is a deeply human, profound musical experience.
I would love to be a part of your future virtual performances and hope that you'll be collecting auditions for new projects. I'm a pretty decent tenor and would love to pitch in!
on March 29, 2010 at 7:48 am
[...] choirs. Among the repertoire was a piece entitled “A Boy & a Girl” by composure Eric Whitacre. I had never heard of Eric, but the piece was [...]
Dana on March 29, 2010 at 11:20 am
Beautiful! Thank you!
Philippe on March 29, 2010 at 11:31 am
I'm really impressed, congratulations!!!
I hope I'll be able to participate to the next choir :)
Regards,
Philippe.
Coro colaborativo en youtube on March 29, 2010 at 10:56 pm
[...] Eric Whitacre, hizo un llamamiento a través de su blog y de numerosas redes sociales y con 185 vídeos de YouTube de cantantes voluntarios que se han prestado a colaborar en este proyecto, ha creado un coro [...]
Morgana Lira on March 29, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Hi!
I´ve just watched this amazing video and I must say this work is very impressive and really touching.
Are you thinking of doing something like this again? If so, I would like to receive some information about the auditions. I´m a singer from Brazil.
Thanks a lot!!! And congratulations!
How has technology shape the way we see community? « The English Cafe on March 30, 2010 at 2:33 am
[...] This amazing video is taken off Eric Whitacre’s website where he pasted together 100 singers who posted their individual tracks to a piece he wrote. The [...]
Global Voices in Italiano » Quando il coro è virtuale: tecnologia e collaborazione in musica on March 30, 2010 at 4:12 am
[...] The Virtual Choir: How We Did It , Whitacre illustra non solo il processo per l'elaborazione finale del video, ma anche gli [...]
La chorale virtuelle | Owni.fr on March 30, 2010 at 2:38 pm
[...] Comment nous y sommes arrivés il explique non seulement l’élaboration de la vidéo finale mais aussi les expériences [...]
Elliott on March 30, 2010 at 5:54 pm
That is absolutely amazing! Thank you for making this happen.
Global Voices на македонски » Виртуелен хор: Технологија, соработка и музика on March 31, 2010 at 6:35 am
[...] видеото Како е тоа направено, го објаснува не само процесот на последното [...]
θοδωρής γεωργακόπουλος – Μια Virtual Χορωδία Στο YouTube on March 31, 2010 at 10:36 am
[...] πώς οργανώθηκε το project. Μπορείς να δεις και μεμονωμένους συμμετέχοντες στο [...]
The World’s Most Beautiful (Virtual) Choir | Wink's Movie Blog on March 31, 2010 at 10:44 pm
[...] a choir. The result is nothing short of stunning: Read more about how the project came together here. And as we near Easter, pay attention to the words (in Latin) and their translation: Lux, Lux Lux, [...]
vero on April 1, 2010 at 11:25 am
TOUS ENSEMBLE c'est tellement simple! beau ! merveilleux!EXTRAORDINAIRE PROJET DE VIE!
Experimento de Crowdsourcing con musica de camara « CommunitiesInABox on April 2, 2010 at 5:50 am
[...] Y si quieren saber como lo hizo, nos dejaron este post. [...]
Peter Nuing on April 2, 2010 at 7:08 am
Hi. I only can say: "WOW!". I heard the version of "Sleep" with the virtual choir some days ago. And it is soooooo fascinating. Normaly i am more into "electronic sound" working with PC, MIDI, and so on but i listen to this song all the time since i heard them. I like it so much. More, more, more :) I wish to be a party of it…maybe…one time… :)
Peter Nuding on April 2, 2010 at 7:11 am
PS: Where can I find the lyrics for "Sleep" ?
Farlee on April 2, 2010 at 7:59 am
This was an incredibly moving video — I'm either a Sop II or Alto I — count me in the next time!
Chris Howe on April 3, 2010 at 3:02 am
Dear Eric,
This project was an inspirational idea that really captures the essence of music-making in today's web-based world. I've been looking up some of your other material (forgive me for using you as a tool for procrastination!) and saw that you'd written an opera. It looks fantastic. I've managed to find bits on YouTube and there's one track from it on your MySpace, but isn't it a shame there's no DVD or audio recording of it? Are there any plans to make a recording of the performance this June?
With much respect,
Chris
James H on April 3, 2010 at 8:34 pm
With over 200 separate recordings, recorded by "amateurs" on home equipment there must have been a ton of background noise and "static". How could all that noise be removed without destroying the authentic sounds they emailed in? So was this really the "authentic" sound of all those people "singing alone, together", or was it a new "digital" creation based on those recordings?
In any event, I love the whole idea and hope I can participate next time.
Angela Richter on April 4, 2010 at 10:52 am
I saw part of this on PJTV's Trifecta and just had to hear the whole song. It reminded me of Palestrina's Alma Redemptoris Mater and Mozart's Serenade for Winds all at once. Bravo!
paopasc on April 5, 2010 at 1:19 am
Running fantastic and extraordinary idea. The only thing I regret is that I'm tone deaf …but not deaf.
Allie Berryman on April 5, 2010 at 10:05 am
I've seen this several times and still get the goosebumps. What a cool thing to be involved in!
Brad Sampson on April 5, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I was so impressed with the virtual choir that I started working on my own personal virtual choir- A Horn Choir! I'm trying to record Sleep for 8 horns, all played by me. Here's my introduction video, if you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8TKdTxhfw8
Global Voices po polsku » Wirtualny Chór: Technologia, Współpraca i Muzyka on April 7, 2010 at 2:08 pm
[...] Jak to zrobiliśmy wyjaśnia on nie tylko proces ostaniej iteracji projektu, ale również wcześniejsze [...]
Gam on April 7, 2010 at 10:40 am
stunning
Please get this into Cooliris.com it would be visually incredible there. Same scenario as your youtube, and let the viewers select from the separate video feeds.
cherbassically on April 8, 2010 at 6:11 am
How do I get involved in this virtual choir! it'd be way cool to do some choral singing again! I sure miss it!!
Tom Gray on April 10, 2010 at 8:13 am
Thank you for making this available via YouTube. I have shared it with many singers. Had the great pleasure of singing "Hope, Faith, Life, Love" a few years ago …
R2 on April 15, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Mr. Whitacre, thank you so much for all your efforts in connecting what is often wrongly considered just some dull nerdy outlet (i.e. choral music) with the 2.0 world. I am truly grateful that thanks to you and many of your co-composers, classical music is now also able to reach all those that only have their information intake on the www. This is an important step in the preservation of (classical) music performances for the future.
Carol Marshall on April 16, 2010 at 10:35 pm
I am singing Lux Arumque at the moment with The Manchester Chorale in the UK (along with other Eric Whitacre pieces) and a friend, who didn't know this, sent me the link to the video. I was both moved and inspired. How different a piece sounds when listening to the whole rather than being in the middle of it and what an amazing concept. I think there was an added dimension to the music in having the singers sing alone; a poignancy that isn't there when the singing is a shared experience. I would love to take part in a future project.
Eric Whitacre’s virtual choir « SMU Chamber Choir official weblog on April 17, 2010 at 11:36 pm
[...] miss Eric Whitacre’s blog post “How we did it” on the making-of of his virtual choir. [...]
Meyli on April 18, 2010 at 3:34 am
That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen on the internet! It's really amazing how we can all come together with our voices and make beautiful music; it gives me chills.
Bravo and thank you! I can't wait to hear more!
NB on April 18, 2010 at 6:08 pm
All I can do is echo the other responses on here. What an amazing project and stunning result! Congrats to all the singers. All I'm sorry about is that I only heard of this project today and that I missed out on being part of that video… I can't wait to find out more about the next one!
Suze Pratten on April 21, 2010 at 10:59 am
Oh my goodness, what an awesome breakthrough for choral music and for virtual human community. Thankyou for the inspiration and count me in for the next project!!
Erick Zanardi on April 22, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Good Evening, Master: (Please, excuse my english)
I saw the Virtual Choir on internet today, 22-04-2010, and I cried like a child with the sound of all singing together… And, of course, I hope be part of the next auditions for other projects like this.
I was in the "Marktoberdorf Choir Competition" on 2005 in Germany, and you was Jury….. I'd singing with "Ensamble Les Trouvers" from Venezuela…. I'm just try to offer me for be part of the choir in the next work (S) ….. I hope you'll read that and let me participate…
Too much thanks for you from me, Erick Zanardi. Venezuela!!!
François Priv on April 24, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Quelle belle découverte! Merci pour cette image de l'humanité que nous serons lorsque nous en aurons fini des frontières…
Au plaisir de vous rencontrer tous un jour!
François Privé
Professeur de philosophie
Co-fondateur de Reboiseurs du Monde
Laura L. W. on April 27, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Absolutely awe-inspiring! I can't wait to audition for the next one!
Pat Keller on April 27, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Fabulous! Awe-inspiring for this long-time choral fan and participant. I've listened over and over again. One suggestion for possible future projects – Maybe put out a call for singers with higher quality equipment? The current productions are miraculous given the fidelity of typical computer microphones. Imagine the richness of tone if the recordings had a larger dynamic range!
verover on April 28, 2010 at 1:48 am
Listen & viewing it, i feel myself like little thinking grain, i flow into youг site by wire… It is cosmic! Thank You, Eric Whitacre! Thank You All, People of the World! Angel music on Earth! Beautiful usage of technologies. Staggering Way to hear Human Voices!
Katie on May 2, 2010 at 6:51 am
What a fascinating idea! The virtual choir's performance was moving and absolutely angelic. My hat goes off to you for taking choral music to a new level through the use of technology. Bravo!
Debby on May 3, 2010 at 11:12 pm
I want to audition for your next project! Please keep me posted.
Steve Froudist on May 4, 2010 at 3:16 am
wonderful! I wish this hypernetthingy was around when I was a kid!!!! Still, I'm not dead yet and I would like to be in on the next one. Truly a marvellous shared magical experience. Bravo!!!!!
cody on May 5, 2010 at 8:15 am
Wow. That was absolutely amazing. To be apart of something so great that brings together all types of people from around the world in perfect harmony would be an honor. This truly captured my heart and brought chills to every inch of my body. Thank you.
Retired In Kaliforni on May 6, 2010 at 1:57 am
This is magnificent! This is most exciting using of Internet for communial creativity! I'm an active Susan Boyle fan and will propose a song tribute by her fans for her via this method. My God what possibilites her!!!
Joe Bowen on May 6, 2010 at 4:31 am
I have sung your "Leonardo Dreams…." piece and found it exhilarating. Please let me know about the next one!!
Acrophile on May 6, 2010 at 5:01 am
This is beautiful. I wish I had known about it from the start. Now I have to start re-training my voice. It's been a long time. I find the "singing together, alone" concept bittersweet. There is an energy you can't get except in physical presence. But this comes about as close as I've ever seen to achieving it.
Kate on May 6, 2010 at 5:39 am
Hey Eric,
We want to show your TED video at a TEDx Lansing on May 21, and I thought it would be really really cool to draw any Michigan connections. Were any of your signers from Michigan or attending a Michigan college or university? Do you have any Michigan ties? Feel free to drop me an email at ktykocki@camw dot net! Thanks!
Chris Poulson on May 8, 2010 at 3:10 am
I heard The Strand segment on BBC World Service as I was awaking this morning. When that was over I came to my computer and watched/listened all over again. Tomorrow night I will teach the last class of the semester (Organizational Behavior) at the University of San Diego. My plan has been to show "Enron – the smartest guys in the room" – and I will. But I will close out the class and the course with the Lux Aurumque video. You have beautifully demonstrated how one can create a virtual community which attracts willing and capable volunteers to create beauty. What a superb contrast to the thieves of Enron and an uplifting end to a course with a goal of engaging the positive side of human behavior. Thank you for enabling the soaring of the human spirit!
Nikki Schilling on May 8, 2010 at 7:58 pm
This video touched my soul in ways deeper than I can explain in words. Your music has been a light in my life, and a huge influence on my own compositions. You are a musical genius. It takes a truly talented mind to come up with something like this. You and your choir did a wonderful job. Thank you so much for creating this masterpiece.
Ken Ransom on May 9, 2010 at 4:08 am
This is totally amazing. You have brought to life the dream of the old Coca-Cola commercial, "I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony."
stacy bryant on May 9, 2010 at 5:02 am
i love this, and i would love to sing with all of you..
christina brown on May 9, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Is there any way I could get involved with the next project? I have been SO touched by your music as I sang it in the past.
Scott E. Cullen on May 10, 2010 at 7:52 am
This is truly fantastic and wonderful. I am in awe. Absolutely beautiful. It reminds me in a small way of Sacred Harp singing. People coming together not just to perform, but to experience music collegially.
David O"Brien on May 10, 2010 at 1:25 pm
this is fantastic congratulations it reminds me of a song which was around in the 60s "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony" OMG I think you have done it
hoyle on May 11, 2010 at 5:16 am
Dear Eric_ have you ever seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUPx42UmSng
Yamil Dutra on May 12, 2010 at 4:01 am
Erick, the work you have developed shows that technology only has sense when it serves human beings. Thank you and all for the effort and beautiful result!
anne thompson on May 12, 2010 at 3:43 pm
this was magic. the joining of your skill and talents with all of these 'strangers' voices and hearts, well, words escape me. thanks to all of you who put this together. i look forward to the next one.
Dr Michael Hall on May 14, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I am fom UK, however have lived and worked mostly in the middle and Far East. During my period in Indonesia I was also fortunate to have had the opprtunity to form a brass band [Sally Army style] from orphans in a childrens home. We started in a very haphazard and precarious way with broken instruments and young kids who had no musical knowledge Today, nearly 25 years later on, one of those kids is now a happliy married man with family and us now the Bandmaster and driver of this "acorn" I can really understand the joy this superb and spectacular adventure has given you and thank you for sharing it with us, as a real inspiration of humanity in action in a positive way
GOD bless and thanks
Dr Michael Hall
michael on May 16, 2010 at 1:54 am
very moving
Imagine the day when it might be possible to do something like this live.
not with 100 or a 1000 but 10s of thousands singing together..
the connected world is a brave new frontier kudos on taking the first steps…
Susanne Gilmer on May 16, 2010 at 8:55 am
This is going in a great direction! I'd like to take part, but sing like a frog. However, I am a pianist and teacher in Birmingham, AL. with background in composition and arranging. Could I participate with keyboards someday? Best to you and your family. Susanne.
Carolyn Sibley on May 18, 2010 at 7:13 pm
A wonderful idea and deeply moving too I want to join in
Reinhardt Bruwer on May 20, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Hi there just wanted to comment to say that was awesome. When are you guys going to try it again? Maybe try something for more singers like "Cloudburst". I sang it with the South African Youth Choir (Fidentia) under conductor André van der Merwe. Would love to audition the virtual choir next time you guys do something.
Keep up the inspiring work
Rienhardt Bruwer
All the way from South Africa
Jack Hoeschler on May 21, 2010 at 2:04 am
This may be part of the answer to Robert Putnam's question in Bowling Alone as to how we build social capital in the future.
Luis on May 23, 2010 at 7:59 am
How great you are..
Roman Alis on May 24, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I am a Performing Arts Teacher/Actor/Praise Team Singer at our church and would love the opportunity to audition for your virtual choir. I have professional training and devote my music & Drama gifts carefully. I would greatly appreciate your consideration.
Praises! I was amazed at what you do and would very much like to be a part of this wonderful dream choir.
Roman Alis, Drama / Music Director/Actor/Singer
M.F.A. Boston University (757) 291-4386
Janet Shown on May 25, 2010 at 4:40 am
The video is breathtaking; the music, nothing less than divine. Thank you for sharing your inspirational work with us.
Kim on May 25, 2010 at 7:41 am
I am a Worship Pastor therefore making it quite difficult to participate in the local Symphonic Choral group however, the Virtual Choir would give me an opportunity to be part of something I absolutely love and not leave my job! Where can I audition?
Sandy Vernon on May 26, 2010 at 9:21 am
All the stress of a busy school year just melted away. Thanks for reminding me what it's all about. So beautiful. Hope to be in the next one.
Jeanne Young on May 28, 2010 at 4:45 pm
This was amazingly beautiful…it touched my soul…a lump formed in my throat. I SO want to be a part of the next one. Thank you so much for sharing this with the world:)
Barbara Popel on June 2, 2010 at 5:35 am
Lovely music. Great idea.
Sorry to point this out, but there's a grammar/spelling mistake that occurs twice in your commentary.: "it's" is an abbreviation of "it is". The word "its" is the possessive form.
You're so precise in your conducting that I hope you'll be equally precise in your writing.
Eric on June 2, 2010 at 6:28 am
Barbara,
THANK YOU. I can't believe I missed both of those. Duly noted and amended.
David S on June 2, 2010 at 11:36 am
I first saw the compilation on Mashable. I immediately tweeted it and shared it with everyone.
In one word: Brilliant
Ron on June 8, 2010 at 12:48 am
I enjoy these videos a lot, but I'd like to reiterate Gary Stone's question: how was the audio handled? It sounds pristine, but it seems there would be a rather large accumulation of noise from all these rather lo-fi recording sources.
Pieter J.van Horssen on June 16, 2010 at 5:22 pm
This is so amazing that , yes indeed, touches you right deep down.
As a choir singer I wold like to be part of it, singing with all these people unknown to you.
Sue Burnside, Vallej on June 24, 2010 at 11:33 am
24.06.10
Thursday
This is one of the greatest ideas ever! To include anyone and everyone who wants to "make a joyful noise" is so empowering to everyone concerned—singers and listeners alike.
This ought to be played in schools at all levels and at all Holy places.
Thanks for the uplifting!
Catherine Todd on June 30, 2010 at 4:25 am
This is INCREDIBLE. Can't wait for more… Surely Art & Music made the world!
CatherineTodd2@gmail.com
Global Services Blog » Leading Virtual Teams to Real Results – The Conversation – Harvard Business Review on June 30, 2010 at 1:47 pm
[...] As Whitacre describes in his blog, “I made my own conductor track, filming it in complete silence, hearing the music only in my head. Then I watched the video and played in the piano accompaniment part to my conductor track. Then I offered the sheet music as a free download. As singers began posting their individual tracks, I called for ‘auditions’ for the soprano solo.” Whitacre had already created a different video, called“Sleep,” where he cut different tracks of remote singers together. The goal with “Lux Aurumque” was to have the singers — none of whom could hear each other, of course — actually responding to his direction. [...]
Anne R. Hawkins on July 3, 2010 at 8:57 am
This was truly the most amazing thing I have ever seen/heard! Please continue to do this. I wish I had the equipment that would enable me to participate in the next project. Are there places in the Minneapolis area where one could go to do this? (Loved your Extravaganza in Orchestra Hall in March 09.)
I have been in love with your music for about 7 years now. After hearing “Leonardo Dreams…” on MPR early one morning, I bought a CD, went to Peppers and bought one of each of the pieces they carried, and have been singing along with the CD ever since. I belong to 3 choirs. But none of the directors have taken my suggestion to use your music in concert, though the Symphony Choir tried “A Boy and A Girl.” The group most capable of doing your music has only 18 singers. Do you have any arrangements for small groups?
Anne R. Hawkins on July 3, 2010 at 9:12 am
This was truly the most amazing thing I have ever seen/heard! Please do more. I don't have equipment that would enable me to participate. Are there places in the Minneapolis area where one could go to do this?
I have been in love with your music for about 7 years now. I bought a CD, music for the pieces, and have been singing along ever since. Do you have any arrangements for small groups?
janb maarten koeman on July 10, 2010 at 7:51 pm
great experiment, since performing cloudburst myself I can't wait to see more music for SSA -childrens choir- . we enjoy Seal lullaby and want to sing more, how about virual childrens choir? we can promote children singing that way too!
jan maarten koeman
founder conductor childrens choirs waterland, national opera childrens choir.
Alberto de Avyz on July 20, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Everytime I hear Lux Aurumque by the Virtual Choir, I fall in tears of joy! It's an amazing idea! And amazing music too.
I really want to be part of the next goal of The Virtual Choir in this next step, on the original score!
Brazilian congratulations!
Dennis Nichols on July 28, 2010 at 2:05 am
For your next experiment, try having singers sit at their respective computers, and while watching your direction and hearing your music let them sing along (you'll have to supply the charts). You could still select the singers from their audio input and you could encorporate voices from around the world.
The piece in this EMAIL was outstanding. The voices were beautifl. BRAVO to them all.
Dennis Nichols
Alan C on August 2, 2010 at 3:40 am
How does one become a part of the next project. I would love to be included…
Jennie McLaughlin on August 5, 2010 at 1:50 am
This is fantastic, uplifting, inspirational music, such talent. Wonderful!
Helen on August 8, 2010 at 7:01 am
This is… incredible beyond words. It is the definition of beautiful. You all do such a wonderful job with this. It makes my heart swell and my mouth smile just listening to it. Beautiful. Peaceful. Very well done.
Anne Poirier on August 29, 2010 at 4:19 am
I would love to be part of your next project
Carli on September 7, 2010 at 3:17 pm
What a great idea! I absolutely love your music. Your virtual choir and your goals for it sound like such a powerful message: That we can all come together for the love of music.
I would love love LOVE to be apart of your virtual choir for your original piece as an alto. How do I go about doing this? :D
Audio Tutorials on September 20, 2010 at 12:41 am
What a fantastic achievement, really great stuff.
Martin Browne on September 22, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Breathtakingly beautiful both as a piece and production. Clearly, this is the beginning of how it all will be. Magic!
jim cartwright on September 22, 2010 at 10:43 pm
What a fantastic idea, sounds so good. Could create an anthem for the planet!
Vilena on September 23, 2010 at 5:47 am
I am very impressed with your project and would be happy to take part in it, the more that I have the experience of choral singing) Thank you for the great idea)
Penny Andrews on September 23, 2010 at 6:26 am
Wow! This is such an inspiring project on so many levels… the music is sublime of course, and the concept of connecting the choir virtually is gorgeous. But it also works beautifully as a stage work – I just love the look of the You Tube videos floating across the stage and the back stories revealed through the singers' home context. So simple but just brilliant!
Thank you for lifting me up.
Joanna Patton on September 23, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I'm commenting in the hopes I'll be in the loop for your next project… Well done for being the first in uncharted waters. :)
Christina Perrine on September 29, 2010 at 3:52 am
Unbelieveable! Beautiful!! I have tears…
I want to be involved with your next project…
The greatest example of crowdsourcing I have ever seen. | Jigsaw LLC on October 1, 2010 at 8:35 am
[...] Now this is a genius idea. Write a piece of music for voice and post sheet music of the alto, soprano, tenor and bass parts. Then have singers download the part they want to sing, record their part, and send in the audio files. The result? 243 tracks of over 180 vocalists singing one gorgeous piece of music called “Lux Aurumque.” You can read “the making of” here. [...]
jean collins on October 30, 2010 at 8:48 pm
have listened to this wonderful music and was very
touched indeed, well done!
Wish I was a bit younger and still in good voice, would
so have enjoyed being part of the choir.
Kim on November 16, 2010 at 6:57 am
As cool as this was, it really defeats the idea and purpose of a choir. A choir is a group of people singing together as one voice, not people singing alone and their voices being mashed together. Also this is not even a real performence. There is no connection within the group and no emotional connection to the audience. I think what you did is great, but don't call it a choir.
Eric on November 16, 2010 at 9:43 am
Kim,
From the Oxford dictionary: Choir 1. An organized company of singers.
Just keepin' it real.
e
Cas Pearson on December 1, 2010 at 5:11 am
wow that was awesome. genius. beautiful. inspired. annointed even! would love to be a part of something like that…
Keith Harrison on December 2, 2010 at 8:06 am
Eric – what a great idea, and a superb result.
Composer Forum on December 5, 2010 at 12:33 am
A wonderful idea and deeply moving too I want to join in
A Choir in the Clouds | Classical Music Blog - WOSU Public Media on December 6, 2010 at 8:18 am
[...] answered yes to these questions, Eric Whitacre wants YOU. Composer Eric Whitacre is reprising his Lux Aurumque project from last year…a 185-voice 243-track virtual choir which he brought together and [...]
Meredith Fox on December 9, 2010 at 11:46 am
That was the most beautiful, pure, angelic sound that has ever graced my ears. It gave me hope that one day the human race may come together and find peace as the voices in this wonderful peice of music did.
Anyssa Marianna Torr on December 9, 2010 at 12:02 pm
When I heard this song I wanted to cry because of how beautiful it sounds. This peice of music was graceful, touching, and made my soul feel free it just lifted my soul. It gave me so much hope. I believe one day we can all come together and make a beatiful song like that. I really enjoyed listening to the many exotic voices in this music peice.I want o make something that graceful one day.
Brian on December 21, 2010 at 12:12 am
Eric:
Did you do anything special for acoustics?
CATALYST – Strategic Design Review » Blog Archive » Digital Design – The designer is the listener on December 21, 2010 at 3:54 am
[...] of the most innovative applications of Digital Design was an online contest used by Eric Whitacre to design a virtual choir. Whitacre used social media — his blog, a Facebook page and YouTube [...]
crying with joy « Ninotchka44's Blog on January 2, 2011 at 9:57 am
[...] How he did it: http://ericwhitacre.com/blog/the-virtual-choir-how-we-did-it [...]
María on January 8, 2011 at 6:49 am
Hi. My name is María. I am a 43-year-old Argentine mezzo and I 'd like to apply for a new proyect. How can I go about it? Thanks in advance.
M.
Kuriko on February 4, 2011 at 5:50 am
Mr. Eric Whitacre,
I just found about your virtual choir last night! How I wish I would've known earlier… but this is not why I am writing this.
You said your ultimate goal is to write an original piece for the Virtual Choir. I have an idea I’d like to share for that. Since you can get quality singers from all over the world via YouTube, it would be great if the song can symbolize the unity in diversity, the intercultural and universal aspect of the project.
Maybe you would have thought of it already, to incorporate various languages in the song and to reflect music styles of various countries. This may be the advantage of a virtual choir over a physical choir.
Like many music videos, it can tell a story visually. It can narrate a story of how one music is connecting those faces
emerging from different continents and islands via computers.
I am only a language teacher and a singer, but I wanted to share my idea. I thought, if a girl singing virtually could inspire you, then I could approach you whom I consider a musical genius.
Thank you for creating beautiful music and using it to connect and inspire!
Alan Matchinsky on February 23, 2011 at 7:21 am
To Eric,
I sing in the Basilica of St. Mary Cathedral Choir in Minneapolis, MN. We absolutely love to sing your exquisite music.
What a thrill it was for me to discover the Virtual Choir doing the Lux Aurumque. Brilliant. Masterful. Pure joy and inspiration. Made my entire day. Possibly my week. Sharing it with all of our friends, and especially the musicians.
You are so very blessed Mr. Whitacre. Thank you. Profoundly.
ijoei on March 17, 2011 at 3:13 am
YoutubeConverter.org.uk
What a thrill it was for me to discover the Virtual Choir doing the Lux Aurumque. Brilliant. Masterful. Pure joy and inspiration. Made my entire day. Possibly my week. Sharing it with all of our friends, and especially the musicians.
Virtual Control on March 21, 2011 at 3:06 pm
[...] simply asked them all to download his sheet music and a video of him conducting, then to record and submit [...]
Patricia F Anderson on April 6, 2011 at 6:39 am
Hey, Eric, the embedded video for SLEEP has been switched to "private" so it is no longer viewable either on the blog or in Youtube. Here is the URL given:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1h3Tf26TcA&fe…
Many thanks! This is absolutely incredible work, and I an eagerly awaiting the next release (tomorrow!).
Linda Hollland on April 10, 2011 at 10:04 am
Am I too late?!! Where do I sign up! I just found this today and have listened to the posted visuals. Where have I been! Where have you been?! I began singing in church and joined A Capella in high school where I met most of the dear friends I still have (thank you fb). BTW I graduated in 1965. (please don't do the math. lol) Currently singing with The Rogue Valley Chorale in Medford, Or. The words of your first tape, that beautiful young girl. I guess that's where I started to tear up for she was saying what I have said and thought about music. Although not graced with the talent to write music per se, always could do well enough to be part of something bigger than anything I could ever hope to do myself. This is beautiful. I hope I can audition or at least submit a tape next time. Respectfully yours, Lin Holland, 1st or 2nd alto
A Choir in the Clouds | Classical 101 on April 20, 2011 at 9:19 am
[...] Eric Whitacre is reprising his Lux Aurumque project from last year…a 185-voice 243-track virtual choir which he brought together and [...]
Jonathan Harker on May 16, 2011 at 8:00 pm
The Youtube choir performance of Lux Aurumque has moved me far beyond words. Truly amazing and inspiring!
Ignonnaownert on May 21, 2011 at 9:34 pm
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Seal Lullaby (everything connects) | city of tongues on May 23, 2011 at 11:01 pm
[...] (who blogs, naturally) has written about the process, but you can also listen to him explain it on the video below, and listen to the recording itself [...]
DSLR-A900 on November 16, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Muy buen puesto. Yo tropecé con su blog y quería decir que realmente he disfrutado de la navegación de tu blog. Después de todo voy a estar suscribirse a su feed RSS y espero que escribir de nuevo pronto!
sage reedy on December 15, 2011 at 12:16 am
dear sir i was wundering why you wrote luxauraumque? and just some brif information baout you :) thank you