I watched his TEDTalk on the creative challenges of making music powered by YouTube. He founded a virtual choir of singers from around the world comprising over 2000 individuals.  I was amazed when I heard the outcome of this work - “Sleep”.

What did I find out about his career path and work?

Eric Whitacre studied piano for a while when he was young. He then had a change of heart and became a member of a techno-funk band playing synthesiser! He went on to the University of Nevada and whilst studying there he joined a choir with friends despite not being able to read music at the time. He ended up graduating with a degree in musical composition. He then went to study for his Masters degree at The Juilliard School. His composition ‘Ghost Train’ for wind orchestra was a massive success and was recorded 40 times, sparking his decision to go into composition full time. His first album light and gold hit number one on the classical charts in the UK and in the USA in a week. He went on to found his choir called the Eric Whitacre singers.

He has a connection with my hometown Cambridge and was a composer in residence for five years at Sidney Sussex College where he still maintains his ties. He is a very charismatic speaker which has made him very popular with young choristers across the world. You can see his TED talks here: https://www.ted.com/speakers/eric_whitacre.

He has been associated with several high-profile events and artists such as: BBC Proms, Minnesota Orchestra, Rundfunkchor Berlin, The Tallis Scholars, Chanticleer, Cincinnati Pops, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, National Children’s Chorus of America and The King’s Singers. Hans Zimmer, John Powell and Jeff Beal as well as British pop icons Laura Mvula, Imogen Heap and Annie Lennox.

What did I learn about working as a composer?

Eric Whitacre taught me that you do not have to decide on your career path whilst you’re really young. You can see how things evolve in your life, what options are available to you, and then decide later in life. He also showed me that choral music is not outdated and old-fashioned like some people consider it to be. His production of “Sleep” is a prime example of how choral music can also be very modern and popular. He has given me the inspiration to experiment with sounds which I like and express them in my own way.

How have my views changed?

I was always under the impression that being a composer required a lot of training. Having been doing it for a few years I now realise that all you really need are good ideas. Eric Whitacre does not play any instrument to a particularly exceptional level. Yet even so, he is an amazing composer. Unlike a lot of other young composers that I know I do not play a large range of instruments either, so this is very reassuring to me.

How has the experience influenced my own arts practice and plans?

Eric Whitacre’s “Seal Lullaby“ is a very beautiful piece that I love. I emulated some of it’s style in my own composition entitled “Winter Time”. 

Something else that has struck me is that he was able to change his career path dependent on his interests during his degree program. Hence I would like to research more career pathways which include flexible degrees like the American system. If that is not possible, I would like to look into university courses that offer dual subjects.  E.g. Joint Honours degrees from St Andrews allows you to study multiple subjects throughout your time at university and graduate in two or three subjects.

My leadership project for unit 2 of my gold arts award fell apart when our country was forced into emergency lockdown due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Eric Whitacre was my inspiration to start my own virtual choir which was something I was able to do successfully throughout lockdown.