an idea that i am super into: virtual choir

something that i feel like a lot of people don’t necessarily know about me is that i am a choir nerd.  i sang in church choir for most of my youth and sang in school choirs in both high school and into college.  one of my big regrets is that i didn’t stick with it all four years of college because it’s something i really loved.  i have a deep appreciation for choral music and while i don’t listen to it very often, i find it totally inspiring.

i never had time for anything choral for the past several years due to the bands and touring, but now that i’m in my late 20’s and a little more settled down, i think i’d like to try to find something.  that said, i have done a little initial research locally, but nothing really fit the kind of thing i was trying to do.

my favorite choral composer is very young considering the amount of work he has already written and composed.  his name is eric whitacre and i was lucky enough to sing one of his pieces in college and go on to see him conduct the school’s choir several years later.  the man is the definition of the word musical genius.  on the day i get married, an eric whitacre song will somehow be involved in the ceremony.  and when i die, an eric whitacre song will be played at my funeral.

whitacre has always been pushing the envelope of musical ideas and when he announced this idea yesterday on twitter, my mind exploded.  apparently the idea is not exactly NEW, he did it for a previous song (as you can see in the video), but this will be on a much bigger scale.  he has posted a youtube video on his website.  the video shows him conducting the song as the piano part plays in the background.  singers are encouraged to get the sheet music and record themselves singing while watching the video of whitacre conducting.

the end result is hundreds of youtube videos of solo singers coming together to form a virtual choir.

the idea is truly amazing and as soon as i read it, i knew i wanted to get involved.  i ordered the sheet music and i am planning to submit it once i learn my part better.

you can read more about the idea at eric’s website: http://soaringleap.com