Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Eric Whitacre is an American composer of choral music and a conductor. He is also known by his full name, Eric William Whitacre.
Birth and Death Dates
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Eric Whitacre was born on October 8, 1970. There is no record of him passing away.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Whitacre holds American nationality and is a composer and conductor of choral music.
Early Life and Background
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Born in Reno, Nevada, Eric Whitacre developed an interest in music from an early age. He began composing at the age of 13 and went on to study piano and composition at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). After completing his undergraduate degree, he moved to New York City to pursue a master's degree in composition at Juilliard School.
Major Accomplishments
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Whitacre has made significant contributions to the world of choral music. He is best known for his composition "Sleep," which was recorded by the Eric Whitacre Singers and became a viral sensation on YouTube, garnering over 40 million views in its first year alone.
Notable Works or Actions
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Whitacre's compositions are characterized by their technical complexity and emotional depth. Some of his notable works include:
"Water Night," which premiered at the 2007 Aspen Music Festival and was later recorded by the Eric Whitacre Singers.
"The Seal Lullaby," a setting of Hans Christian Andersen's poem, which has been praised for its haunting beauty.
* "Ghosts," a choral work that explores the theme of love and loss through music.
In addition to his compositions, Whitacre is also known for his innovative approach to recording and performance. He was one of the first composers to use social media platforms to connect with audiences and promote his work.
Impact and Legacy
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Whitacre's impact on choral music cannot be overstated. His compositions have been performed by choirs around the world, from amateur groups to professional ensembles. He has also inspired a new generation of young composers and conductors.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Eric Whitacre is widely quoted and remembered for his innovative approach to choral music and his ability to connect with audiences through social media. His compositions have been praised for their technical complexity and emotional depth, making him one of the most celebrated composers of our time.
Throughout his career, Whitacre has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize nomination in 2006 for "Water Night." He continues to compose and perform, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in choral music.
Quotes by Eric Whitacre
The terror of performing never goes away. Instead, you get very, very comfortable being terrified.
Nerves, stress and the pressure to perform are a part of life. You don't have to conquer these feelings; just learn to live with them.
When I think of people I am close to, I genuinely feel that I can include Josh Lyman, Toby Ziegler, C.J. Cregg and Sam Seaborn.
![I think [the virtual choir] speaks well to a benevolent future for the Internet.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-2712729.png&w=1536&q=100)
With vocal and choral music, first and foremost, it's the text. Not only do I need to serve the text, but the text - when I'm doing it right - acts as the perfect 'blueprint', and all the architecture is there. The poet has done the heavy lifting, so my job is to find the soul of the poem and then somehow translate that into music.
When I went to college at the University of Nevada back in Las Vegas, I got tricked into singing in choir. The first thing we did was the Mozart 'Requiem.' That was the piece that changed my life overnight.
For the first six or eight months at Juilliard I felt paralysed. I didn't know what I was doing.
When you look back on music history, it falls into these neat periods, but of course, the period you yourself are living through seems totally scattered and chaotic.
There must be four or five hundred choirs here in London alone. In a way, there's nowhere else on Earth I could go and get this level and passion for singing in the one place.
In Las Vegas, the magnitude is impressive, but the humanity is gone. It feels like you're being intimidated out of your money instead of inviting you to come have this experience.