Eric Whitacre: A virtual choir 2,000 voices strong

Eric Whitacre shares his journey from aspiring pop star to renowned composer and conductor. Initially dreaming of joining bands like Depeche Mode, he discovers a passion for choir music in college. This leads to a successful career in classical music. Inspired by a fan video, he creates a virtual choir, uniting singers worldwide. The project gains massive attention, leading to Virtual Choir 2.0, which includes over 2,000 singers from 58 countries. The initiative highlights the power of technology in fostering global connections through music.

What was the speaker's initial dream career?

• Music teacher

• Choir conductor

• Pop star

• Classical composer

What changed the speaker's perspective about joining the choir?

• A chance to perform solo

• A trip to Mexico and the presence of attractive girls

• A scholarship offer

• A personal invitation from a famous conductor

Where did the speaker complete his master's degree?

• University of Nevada

• Juilliard School

• Royal College of Music

• Berklee College of Music

What inspired the speaker to create a virtual choir?

• A request from a music company

• A challenge from a fellow composer

• A fan video of a young woman singing his composition

• A dream he had about a global choir

What was the title of the piece used for the first virtual choir?

• Lux Aurumque

• Requiem

• Sleep

• Kyrie

How many videos were submitted for Virtual Choir 2.0?

• 3,000

• 2,051

• 1,500

• 900

What was the speaker's reaction to the first virtual choir video?

• He was disappointed

• He was moved to tears

• He was indifferent

• He was critical of the quality

What was the arbitrary goal set for Virtual Choir 2.0?

• To include singers from 100 countries

• To have 1,000 participants

• To surpass 900 participants

• To create a live performance

What did the speaker emphasize about the virtual choir experience?

• The financial benefits

• The emotional connections formed

• The technical challenges

• The competitive nature

What does the speaker compare the virtual choir to?

• A solo performance

• A family

• A traditional choir

• A professional orchestra