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    Whitacre

    Pictures

    Eric Whitacre: the composer’s most famous songs, awards, wife and more facts revealed

    Choral conductor, composer, YouTube sensation, and model (!) Eric Whitacre is high demand. His beautiful music is among the most popular and most performed by a living composer.

    1. Eric Whitacre

      1. When is Eric Whitacre’s birthday?

      Eric Whitacre was born on 2 January 1970, in Reno, Nevada. He stayed close to home to study musical education as an undergraduate at the University of Nevada.

    2. Eric Whitacre singers perfom light and gold

      2. The Eric Whitacre Singers

      Eric Whitacre has his own choir, the Eric Whitacre Singers, who feature on his albums. They performed at the launch of his album, 'Light & Gold'.

    3. Eric Whitacre conducting

      3. Eric Whitacre – conductor and model

      Composer, conductor, lecturer, and... model? Eric is on the books at the Storm modelling agency - adding modelling to the list of his talents!

    4. Eric Whitacre at soaring leap, london

      4. Eric Whitacre and Soaring Leap

      Eric Whitacre's latest initiative is his 'Soaring Leap' workshops, where singers, instrumentalists, conductors and composers can explore his works. They discuss the text and compositional techniques.

    5. Laurence Servaes Soprano.

      5. Who is Eric Whitacre’s wife?

      Eric Whitacre has been married to the Belgian operatic soprano Laurence Servaes since March 2019, when the pair tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Maui, Hawaii.

    6. Eric Whitacre holding his grammy award

      6. Has Eric Whitacre won a Grammy?

      Eric Whitacre won a Grammy Award for his 'Light and Gold' album in the Best Choral Performance category in 2012. 'Cloudburst' received a Grammy nomination in 2007 in the same category.

    7. soaring leap

      7. Soaring Leap

      Eric addresses the guests at the 'Soaring Leap' conference. Guest speakers, fellow composers, and visiting musicians often make an appearance to talk to the guests.

    8. Eric Whitacre soaring leap

      8. Eric Whitacre, lecturer

      When he's not speaking at 'Soaring Leap', Eric is also a lecturer and composer in residence at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University.

    9. Eric Whitacre conducting

      9. 'Whitacre chords'

      Eric Whitacre's music is known for its 'Whitacre chords', where he clusters clashing notes on top of one another to create his signature spine-tingling harmonies.

    10. Eric Whitacre model

      10. Eric Whitacre's rock star dreams

      Aside from being conductor and composer, Eric dreamed of being a rock star when he was younger. He used to play the synthesizer in a techno-pop band!

    11. Eric Whitacre Lux Aurumque youtube virtual choir

      11. Lux Aurumque

      Eric is also known for his 'Virtual Choir' projects. He invites singers to submit a video of themselves singing their own part, and combines them to create an international choir of performers.

    12. Eric Whitacre Lux Aurumque youtube virtual choir conducting

      12. Virtual Choir

      In order to keep the performers in his 'Virtual Choir' projects together, Eric releases a video of himself so the singers can follow the beat of the music. Eric's 'Virtual Choir' videos have received more than 5million views on YouTube. 'Sleep', 'Lux Aurumque', and 'Water Night' have been recorded so far.

    13. Eric Whitacre composer

      13. Instrumental compositions

      He might be famous for his choral music, but Eric Whitacre also writes a lot of instrumental music. He also transcribes some of his vocal pieces for strings, making the most of the rich harmonies and textures.

    14. eric whitacre piano

      14. Eric Whitacre at the piano

      Although primarily known as a choral composer, Eric Whitacre has written a number of works for solo voice. His first wife, Hila Plitmann, sings soprano on 'Goodnight Moon'. Photo by Robert Garbolinski

    15. eric whitacre conducts

      15. Eric Whitacre, conducting his own pieces

      Eric Whitacre conducting his own music. He's written for a number of famous musicians including the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Julian Lloyd Webber, and Philharmonia Orchestra. Photo by Robert Garbolinski

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    Eric Whitacre conducted a 600-strong choir at Eurovision Choir of the Year and it was glorious

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    Eric Whitacre conducts 'Lux Nova': exclusive video

    Photo by Robert Garbolinski

    Whitacre - Lux Aurumque

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    The best American composers

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    Photo by Robert Garbolinski

    Why Eric Whitacre is your new favourite orchestral (not just choral) composer

    Eric Whitacre

    Want to make it as a choral composer? Eric Whitacre has this advice…

    Eric Whitacre and Tim Lihoreau

    Eric Whitacre's step-by-step Virtual Choir guide

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