Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

January 2, 1970

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Choral

 

Eric Whitacre is a renowned American composer and conductor, known for his innovative and captivating choral works. Born on January 2, 1970, in Reno, Nevada, Whitacre grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. He was also a member of his high school choir, which sparked his interest in choral music. Whitacre went on to study music at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. He then pursued a Master of Music degree in Composition at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied with John Corigliano and David Diamond. Whitacre's early compositions were primarily for orchestra, but he soon turned his attention to choral music. His breakthrough work was "Water Night," a hauntingly beautiful piece for mixed choir that was inspired by a poem by Octavio Paz. The piece was premiered by the Dale Warland Singers in 1995 and quickly became a favorite of choral groups around the world. Whitacre's choral works are known for their lush harmonies, intricate rhythms, and innovative use of technology. He often uses a technique called "cluster chords," in which multiple notes are sung simultaneously to create a rich, complex sound. He also frequently incorporates electronic effects, such as reverb and delay, to enhance the choir's sound. One of Whitacre's most famous works is "Lux Aurumque," a piece for a cappella choir that has been performed by countless choirs around the world. The piece was originally written in 2000 as a commission for the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, and it quickly became a viral sensation after a video of a virtual choir performing the piece was posted on YouTube in 2010. The video, which featured over 2,000 singers from around the world, has been viewed over 10 million times. Whitacre has also composed several large-scale works for choir and orchestra, including "The City and the Sea," "Deep Field," and "The Sacred Veil." "Deep Field," which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra, is based on images from the Hubble Space Telescope and features a choir, orchestra, and electronic soundscape. "The Sacred Veil," which was written in collaboration with poet Charles Anthony Silvestri, is a deeply personal work that explores themes of love, loss, and spirituality. In addition to his work as a composer, Whitacre is also a sought-after conductor and speaker. He has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras and choirs, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Eric Whitacre Singers. He is also a popular speaker on topics such as creativity, innovation, and the intersection of music and technology. Whitacre has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance in 2012 for his album "Light & Gold." He has also been awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Despite his many accomplishments, Whitacre remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to push the boundaries of choral music and inspire audiences around the world with his innovative and captivating compositions.

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