Eric Whitacre

Eric Whitacre is a man full of visions, who enjoys turning dreams and wishes into reality. He stands not only for the idea of virtually connected, global choral events, but also for the idea of a society united in song, proving that perhaps music can change the world, even if only for a brief, shared moment. Although Eric Whitacre did not have the opportunity to formally and analytically engage with music, let alone receive basic musical training, until he was 18, his experiences as a singer in the college choir changed his life. Just three years later, at 21, he wrote his first concert piece titled "Go, Lovely, Rose." He continued his musical education – alongside, among others, Pulitzer Prize and Oscar-winning composer John Corigliano – at the renowned Juilliard School in New York, where he earned a Master of Music degree. For his works, which are now indispensable to the contemporary choral repertoire, such as "Water Night," "Cloudburst," "Sleep," "Lux Aurumque," or "A Boy and a Girl," as well as his symphonic pieces, Eric Whitacre has won numerous awards, including those from the "Barlow International Composition Competition," the "American Choral Directors Association," and the "American Composers Forum." He is currently working on commissions for the following ensembles: "London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra," "Julian Lloyd Webber and the Philharmonia Orchestra," "The King’s Singers," and "Conspirare." As a conductor, Eric Whitacre has worked with countless professional ensembles worldwide, as well as various amateur ensembles. Over the past ten years, he has conducted concerts of his choral and symphonic works in Japan, Australia, China, Singapore, South Africa, and many places in Europe, especially London. Furthermore, he is a guest lecturer at most universities in the USA, where he leads seminars or gives lectures for young aspiring musicians. In May 2010, Eric Whitacre signed his contract with Decca, making him one of only a small selection of composers who are offered a long-term exclusive contract these days. The debut album "Light & Gold" was released in the USA and England in October, stormed the Top Ten charts, and thus consistently completes the composer's previously released, extremely successful discography. Eric Whitacre took another step towards becoming an extraordinary composer open to various musical styles with his composition "Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings." This genre-spanning musical combines electronic music like trance and techno with the traditions of choral singing, film music, and even opera. For this work, he received the prestigious "Richard Rodgers Award" as the most promising musical composer. The most recent production, which sold out every performance night, received 10 nominations for the "Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Award" in 2007, including one for Best Musical World Premiere. Eric Whitacre lives with his wife and son in Los Angeles.