Soaring Leap is a dynamic, one-day workshop for singers, conductors and composers with Eric Whitacre. Next up: Cal State Fullerton, Feb 11th
Join us and become a Consortium member and commissioner of the Mixed Chorus and Piano version of Goodnight Moon.
Eric Whitacre announces his Top 10 albums to listen to through headphones. Click here to see his choices.
The Virtual Choir 3 is live! You have until 31st January 2012 to record your entry - good luck!
Eric Whitacre's Light & Gold has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Choral Performance.
Hila Plitmann's latest album, "The Ancient Question, A voyage through Jewish Songs" is available on Signum Classics
In March 2011 Eric was a guest speaker at the TED Conference in Long Beach. Watch Eric's TED Talk.
Eric Whitacre will perform in London's Cadogan Hall on Wednesday 1st February 2012, with The Eric Whitacre Singers. More info
A virtual choir of 2052 across 58 countries perform "Sleep", composed and conducted by Eric Whitacre. Watch now!
A range of t-shirts in various fits and sizes, 150 signed CD's available for pre-order, and more - merch now available from the official webstores!
The winners have been announced! To see Eric phoning the winners and some of their reactions, check out this video. Congratulations!
Celebrating a transatlantic No.1 chart position in the first week of sales and stunning reviews. Read more...
On Sale now through JW Pepper, Sheet Music Plus and all good retailers.
DCINY is hosting a concert in New York in 2012. Join Eric on stage. Read more...
Posted on March 22, 2010 at 1:20 am
Absolutely MUST SEE, especially in high-def:
Congratulations to everyone – truly an extraordinary thing you’ve all created. And a huge thank you to Scottie Haines, who beautifully produced the video.
Hmm… What should we do for the NEXT one? WOO HOO!
@OhHenryD Good luck, Henry!
How to pronounce "Hanukkah." http://t.co/Ubg2AAtU
RT @MrJasonRBrown: Good luck, padre! It's harder than you think! RT @playbill: Zemeckis Adapting "Back to the Future" for Stage Musical ...
Final count for Virtual Choir 3: 3727 videos from 73 countries. EPIC. The video will debut early April - woo hoo! http://t.co/Rf2AKl9r
RT @richie_lacovara: @EricWhitacre, can I get a RT for listening to your choirs in class?
Copyright 2012 Eric Whitacre. All rights reserved.
99 Comments
Sonja on March 21, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Thanks so much for all your hard work. Beautiful!
Mitchell on March 21, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I believe either water night or leonardo should be next… Oooooo or cloudburst
Jeremiah Mullen on March 21, 2010 at 6:30 pm
The final product is amazing! I am so glad to be one of the few in the world to be a part of this! The next one, I say "Water Night."
Ian McDougal on March 21, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Cloudburst would be tough for Scottie, but if he pulled it off it would be SWEET.
Kevin Davis on March 21, 2010 at 6:35 pm
My vote is with Water night or Leonardo, did those last year and this year respectively at my school, would love to try and join in to that!
James Perry on March 21, 2010 at 6:40 pm
I think you know what I'm 'dreaming' of for the next project ;D
Courtney Lea on March 21, 2010 at 6:40 pm
We should do 'Nox Aurumque' or 'Water Night'…or 'A Boy And a Girl'…CRAP! There's so many good ones to choose from! Grrr…lol
I couldn't help but cry when I watched this! So stunning and amazing both visually and audibly! HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE thanks to Scotty!
Raz on March 21, 2010 at 6:48 pm
If you're feeling really bold and daring, I recommend Nox…I just ordered the music not too long ago. Otherwise, I would go with A Boy and A Girl, or Water Night. Good job, everyone!
Sam on March 21, 2010 at 6:50 pm
AAAAAAAAAAH! Freaking the best thing on YouTube ever. Sleep was amazing, but this is just incredible.
I think we should do Nox Aurumque, Go, Lovely Rose, or A Boy and a Girl next. But it would be super fun to do Leonardo, even though it's a huge piece of music. If we're really up for a challenge, I would love to do The Stolen Child (it would be fun to get together a group for the sextet). But that's probably too much. For now, Nox gets my vote.
Paige on March 21, 2010 at 6:51 pm
This is so beautiful, what an AMAZING choir to be a part of! :-D
Whatever we do next will be lovely, since you're the composer!! However, I vote "Water Night" (or "Sleep My Child for SATB ;-))!
Jennifer Davis on March 21, 2010 at 6:56 pm
So cool–can't wait to contribute to the next one!
Cassie Taylor on March 21, 2010 at 7:02 pm
WATER NIGHT or A BOY & A GIRL! they would sound amazing with this. those soprano phrases are resonating like CRAZY! it sounds great! kinda pissed i didn't get involved with it though…. idiot.
totally gnarly!
Jeremiah Mullen on March 21, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Now that I think about it, maybe we should do "Lux Aurumque"'s brother, "Nox Aurumque," as our next project. It will be a great follow-up to this one, keeping a nice theme if you will.
Vaughan on March 21, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Stunning! Why don't I have the nerves to join?! If there is another, I will totally do it. That what I said last time but I mean it this time! Water Night would be wonderful. I know it would be impossible, but I thought I would just throw When David Heard out there… I can't not cry when I hear that song.
Vaughan on March 21, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Sorry, I meant I can not help but cry when I hear When David Heard.
That's what I get for not proof reading!
Mike Anderson on March 21, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Next project: Godzilla Eats Las Vegas; Choral Arrangement
Dinesh on March 22, 2010 at 2:14 am
A BOY AND A GIRL! Or When David Heard. Or even With a lily in your hand. Or little tree.
Levi on March 21, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Man oh man, this is so wonderful. Really I can't grasp the reality of what I'm seeing when I watch it. Man, Stolen Child or When David Heard would be difficult, but think how exciting that would be! Really anything would be legit and appropriate. The music's all such good good. Major kudos to all y'alls, seriously. This made my day (to say the least).
Sam on March 21, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Ooh, When David Heard has a tenor solo – let's do that. :P
Jamal on March 21, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Amazing!!! I love it . And next should be WATER NIGHT!!!
Evangelyna Etienne on March 21, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Beautiful!!! Can we please do Leonardo???
Ian McDougal on March 21, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Actually, you should write us a new piece like you said you might. That would be the coolest.
darikiel on March 21, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Wow! Scottie did a great job getting this all setup for you. Amazing, really wish I had submitted a video, but apparently my iSight is not functioning… Grrr… Oh well. Great job!
BTS on March 21, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Eric Whitacre's Virtual BAND?? :D
Robin Wyatt-Stone on March 21, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Absolutely fantastic–so thrilled that I could be a part of this incredible project. :D
Nox Aurumque may honestly be my all-time favorite of your choral works, but I think it might be better if it were given some time to circulate and get into the public ear before it's performed. I think Water Night would be a good choice though!
Davis Good on March 21, 2010 at 8:17 pm
I think "Leonardo" would be an ambitious next step. "Nox Aurumque" would obviously complement "Lux" well.
Amber Darlington on March 21, 2010 at 8:38 pm
I'm so happy to be apart of such a spectacular thing. Great job to everyone!
Teresa Ulrich on March 21, 2010 at 8:53 pm
I vote for Water Night.
zach on March 21, 2010 at 9:13 pm
AMAZING!
Definitely A Boy And A Girl next. It seems like it might be easier to edit than the last two, and it's SO BEAUTIFUL.
Kerri on March 21, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Water Night would probably work well, though I think 5 Hebrew Love Songs would be fun.
Jordan Spencer Cunni on March 21, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Huzzah! I vote either "Water Night" or "Nox Aurumque"! Those two along with "Sleep" and "Lux Aurumque" are my very favorite songs in existence!
Danny Espy on March 21, 2010 at 10:34 pm
I would recommend one of your earlier pieces such as "Go, Lovely Rose" or "Little Tree" (which are actually two of my favorites, though it's so hard to choose a favorite from all your works cuz they are all so FANTASTIC)
Jen Midura on March 21, 2010 at 11:12 pm
A Boy and a Girl gets my vote!
This was so much fun! I'm so happy and proud to be a part of it (congrats to Scott for putting the final product together!).
Elisa No on March 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm
I say "Water Night" as well for the next one! :)
Robbie Bennett on March 21, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Her Sacred Spirit Soars!
Andrew Vargas on March 21, 2010 at 11:54 pm
I say Mr. Whitacre does his own arrangemnet of "We Are the World" and do that as the next video!!
But "Water Night" would be nice!
Pratik on March 22, 2010 at 4:51 am
I'm with the majority: Water Night, Leonardo, or Nox. When David Heard would eventually be cool, though. Or a new piece of course. Or virtual band :D
Caitlin Hepburn on March 22, 2010 at 9:20 am
Nox Arumque or A Boy and a Girl.
Or that Zombie song cycle you're working on. ;)
Adam on March 22, 2010 at 10:45 am
Absolutely stunning, can't stop listening :D
As for the next one, Water Night or A Boy and a Girl
Joe on March 22, 2010 at 11:54 am
Boy and a Girl
Sandra on March 22, 2010 at 12:16 pm
*tear*
So beautiful. I am kicking myself in the pants that I didn't get my butt in front of the computer to be a part of this. Such is my busy life.
Water Night would be so awesome next! I'll definitely join you! Leonardo would be a huge feat…..
Matt W on March 22, 2010 at 1:06 pm
ORIGINAL WORK ORIGINAL WORK
Claire on March 22, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Absolutely chilling. "A Boy and A Girl" is definitely my vote!
Jacqueline on March 22, 2010 at 3:11 pm
when david heard. there are not enough easily accessible recordings out there…it's such a moving, poignant work. it needs to be performed more often. so why not by some singers who would really understand the depth and beauty of the work?!
Jeremiah Mullen on March 22, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Or…maybe the next piece should be the one you were thinking of creating specifically for the virtual choir? =D
Emily R. on March 22, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Well, you DID say you were gonna write a piece just for the virtual choir, right? Just sayin'.
By the way, I'm blown away by how well the video turned out; I am truly honored to have been a part of this project.
Maria. N on March 22, 2010 at 4:40 pm
This was absolutely amazing..
I wish I could have sung for this project, this song is beautiful! The people who sang in it sound amazing too.
Everyone did a wonderful job!
Seal Lullaby for the next?
That is the first of your songs I fell in love with. I hope to sing it to my babies one day. (when I have them)
:]
Courtney Lea on March 22, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Weren't we originally supposed to do 'Water Night' in the first place before you decided to switch for 'Lux Aurumque'?
Either way, any song we do will be awesome!
Wesley Hotzfeld on March 22, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Nox Aurumque is my vote for the next one. Half because it's probably my favorite piece (next to When David Heard… which is too long to fit on Youtube. hahaha) and half because… well, I really want to see the rest of the score for it hehehe :)
rerodriguez90 on March 22, 2010 at 6:17 pm
I say Water Night, or try the impossible: When David heard.
Connor Lidell on March 22, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Go, Lovely Rose or Water Night…
People would be submitting like 12 videos for Water Night with all the Divisi. lol. LOVE IT.
Enigma on March 22, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I vote Nox Aurumque!!! 100%!!!
Tessy on March 22, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Oh wow…that was absolutely stunning…(I almost started tearing up). There were just so many singers from so many countries that it was quite overwhelming and astonishing – what a community!
Now I am REALLY going to do the next one if college life doesn't consume me (or at least make an attempt). My personal votes for the next pieces are either Water Night, A Boy and A Girl, Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine (if we really want to be gusty and face the challenge), When David Heard, or The Seal Lullaby, or Maggie and Milly and Molly and May – HECK, I'm not that picky. :) I am just excited about the next video.
Great job everyone! You sounded AMAZING!
uberVU - social comments on March 23, 2010 at 10:43 am
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by brucenist: This is why @ericwhitacre is one of the best composers, conductors, and musicians alive! http://bit.ly/9HNt1S...
Luke Swaub on March 23, 2010 at 2:10 pm
HOly MOLY! Now I wish I had participated.
Water Night next! I’m so in, this is so cool! Whoever mixed the voices together is a genius!
mattnielsen on March 23, 2010 at 8:18 am
Her Sacred Spirit Soars. That's one of your best pieces.
sander on March 23, 2010 at 3:05 pm
'A boy and a girl' for next!
Tweets that mention The Virtual Choir Video Is LIVE! « SoaringLeap.com -- Topsy.com on March 24, 2010 at 9:01 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Maria Langer, jodene, Evamaria, Ralph Van Crombrugge, Mike Glinski and others. Mike Glinski said: The Virtual Choir. Amazing project, nice palate cleanser. http://ow.ly/1pZVA [...]
Dan Clark on March 24, 2010 at 12:12 pm
commented on a different thread but I realize it was the wrong place to make the suggestion…..
Franz Biebl's Ave Maria would make a wonderful piece for this amazing choir
Annodamydal on March 24, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I think I win the award for the most blurry Soprano II.
Seal Lullaby for the next? Or A Boy And A Girl if it has to be a cappella?
Otir on March 25, 2010 at 9:05 am
Absolutely fabulous, thank you very much.
Tim Thomas on March 25, 2010 at 10:05 am
I teach high school choir and just finished showing this to my students…in a room packed with hormonally-challenged teenagers, you could have heard a pin drop, both during and just after the viewing! They were moved by the performance and facinated by the technology behind the music.
A number of them loudly expressed their intention to practice their butts off in hopes of auditioning for the next virtual choir! (I might do so as well!)
Have to send a shout-out to my former student Matt, who was part of this production!!
Melanie Norton on March 25, 2010 at 2:42 pm
A thought might be to do one with the Daughters of the American Revolution all saying the American Creed and/or singing American The Beautiful. There are Sons (SAR) and Children (CAR) of the American Revolution also who could make an inspiration patriotic video such as this. http://www.dar.org
Email me if you like the idea. I can help you coordinate it!
ddean on March 25, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Nox Aurumque gets my vote all the way. We need a version of that incredible song out there that doesn't have any COUGHING in it!!
Ruth Pershing on March 26, 2010 at 11:22 am
Exquisite and awe-inspiring! Especially for any young person to see and hear that the human voice is the most incredible of all instruments! My 10-year old son, who has recently discovered choral singing, will be both moved and thrilled!
Ruth on March 28, 2010 at 10:48 am
Ilove you Eric! These beautiful pieces are just flawless and amazing. I would very much like to be in the next virtual piece.Do you need special equipment to record yourself? I really want to know.
Andrey on April 2, 2010 at 10:02 am
I truely adore your music! Hopefully, one day my musical ideas will come together on paper as effortless and beautiful as yours. I would like to do "Go Lovely Rose" or "A Boy and A Girl." These songs are dear to my heart. Or do a more upbeat song like, "With a Lily" or "Leonardo Dreams"..both of those would take a lot of planning I'm sure.
WillStanfield on April 12, 2010 at 11:52 am
definitely A Boy and a Girl. for sure.
Joshua on April 14, 2010 at 5:47 am
I beg you – Water Night please! Not only is this the most played piece on my ipod, but it is certainly THE piece of music that inspired me to begin composing for voice. It's such a moving piece, and I feel that taking this on for a virtual choir would absolutely push all boundaries that you have already stretched even further into musical accomplishments, genius, and talent. =)
Riley on April 15, 2010 at 4:01 pm
This was INCREDIBLE! I found myself not breathing while I listened to it :) My vote for the next one is either A Boy and a Girl or When David Heard. Thanks again!!
Lauren on April 17, 2010 at 2:46 am
Water Night for sure!!
Kassi Nelson on April 17, 2010 at 11:43 am
This music pierces my soul each and every time I hear it. Nothing it this world connects us together as human beings quite as well as the inspiring emotion found in music. This piece gives me chills and brings back so many memories of rehearsals and performance with this piece in my high school choir. It literally leaves me breathless. Thank you for posting this!
Weaver Lilley on May 4, 2010 at 3:33 am
I cried. Had to watch it 3 times. Uplifting!
Kevin LaManna on May 4, 2010 at 3:45 am
This is absolutely astonishing and flooring. Probably one of the best combinations of social media and choral music. Hats off to all involved! Utterly impressive!
Sarah on May 4, 2010 at 4:36 am
This is such an inspiring and transcendent gift! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kim Poole on May 4, 2010 at 5:33 am
Absolutely beautiful. I am amazed at the quality and beauty of this piece. Mr. Whitacre, total genius. Congrats on a wonderful project. Keep up the great work and keep posting!!
Christopher Tedin on May 4, 2010 at 5:45 am
Stunning. Absolutely Stunning! I'm going to tell everyone I know about this piece! Great work, folks. You all should be proud. I wish I had half as good a voice as any one of you.
Renee on May 4, 2010 at 9:21 am
I cried too, when I saw this. Thank you for providing a perspective of humanity possible only through the realization of your dream.
Bill Cooke on May 4, 2010 at 9:26 am
absolutely amazing! A bout time someone combined classic sounds to the new technologies.
Irenee Riter on May 4, 2010 at 12:50 pm
My heart is warmed to the very center of my Being. Takes us into the real world of classic beauty, grace and the love we truly are. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jane and Ethan on May 4, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Wow! So amazing! I can't believe someone could think that up!
Ellis Elkins on May 4, 2010 at 2:40 pm
love this song. that was great.
Sanjeev Abhyankar on May 4, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Amazing is the word. So refreshing, one should listen to it every morning will definately ensure greater productivity. A salute to all the creators.
Lauren Brant on May 4, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Incredible imaginative creativity in composing, arranging, and directing this virtual choir experience. Thank you for the opportunity to experience your vision applied.
Moira O'Brien on May 5, 2010 at 12:38 am
Apart from being beautiful music, beautifully sung, this is an incredible feat of editing. My most humble congratulations to all concerned. It is brilliant.
Terry A. Cregan-Leid on May 5, 2010 at 12:58 am
That was just incredible!!! Such talent he has! Thanks so much ERIC for sharing this with all of us~~~Please continue to create these beautiful works of art!
Yelena Isarov on May 5, 2010 at 7:42 am
This is awesome! I am speechless… This is definitely an Art of music and technology
jerry boyd on May 6, 2010 at 1:29 am
this is a marvelous work that you have done
jerry boyd on May 6, 2010 at 1:30 am
Totally awsome!!
R. Smith on May 6, 2010 at 9:01 am
How inspiring!!! What an abosolute joy!!! What a delicate and charming use of technology. Congratulations!!! and thank you so very much. My heart feels warm!
Chuck Henrickson on May 6, 2010 at 9:37 am
A real virtual accomplishment. Heavenly sound. Thank you.
James Geer on May 9, 2010 at 4:03 am
I just listened to the virtual choir and it is truly a spectacular work. Congratulations to each and everyone of you. It not only showcases the work put into it, but the beauty of the combined voices.
Morgaan Sinclair on May 9, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Well, I absolutely NEVER spend half an hour sending some viral video to friends. But I just did … to friends ALL OVER THE WORLD. I am a mythologist, and this song you have made has a mythic, even epic quality, the quality of polyhymnia, the highest of the elements of the Muse, the ninth and most powerful of the calling agencies and the rivers of energy that enchant the heart and incant spiritual energies. It is a gift. And in this time of such strife, it touches me to the heart that you all sat down, all over the world, to make something beautiful and give it to everyone else. Do it again. Do it again and again and again. Thank you. My worldful of friends go to sleep this night in peace listening to your golden voices full of light.
Nancy Harward on May 13, 2010 at 4:56 am
One night about seven years ago, I watched as my then-15-year-old daughter heard Lux Aurumque for the first time. She was listening to a recording via a link her high school choir director had provided; Lux Aurumque was one of the pieces the choir would perform that year. It's not often that you get to see a teenager transfixed by "serious" music. When the recording ended, she said, "That is the most gorgeous piece of music I have ever heard"–and I'm not sure she even knew that I was in the room. I can hardly wait for her to experience this incredible recording.
Nicholas Grenier on May 13, 2010 at 6:29 am
Amazing! This shows how the web can help like minded people to get together and create something marvelous like this. I can tottaly see this in the future… web based companies/communities that work together to create projects only limited by our imagination… I thank all the people that have worked on that project, for it gave me much inspiration for a project of my own…
Good luck to you all!
Morvagor's Blog on June 22, 2010 at 3:07 am
Videoparade XIV: The Virtual Choir mit Eric Whitacre…
Der Komponist und Dirigent Eric Whitacre hatte die Idee, einen Chor aus lauter Youtube-Amateuren zu casten, die ihren jeweiligen Part per Webcam aufnahmen und einschicken sollten. Aus diesem virtuellen Chor entstand folgendes Video mit der Komposition …
Denise Stafos on July 20, 2010 at 12:32 am
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful voices. The unity is so inspirational that it was a spiritual experience to listen.
Meredith on December 16, 2011 at 3:17 am
How do I sign up for the next one? How about U2′s MLK a la King’s Singers? Or nearly anything from Mozart’s Requiem? LOVED this more than you can ever know! Thank you for sharing this with the world!
Ken Kniskern on December 20, 2011 at 12:53 am
Rutter’s Requiem!