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Dave Lim

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If you were a member of Virtual Choir, Eric Whitacre's incredible global collaboration please share your story & journey with us & the world

... plus, do tell us which country-city you're from, and add the link to your YouTube audition link, if you wish.

Thank you.

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Topics: Choir Eric Whitacre global
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    Tresa Davis

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    Apr 10 2011: I was in my music studio and preparing for that day's lessons with the usual weekday line up of students. Weary from some of the curves life had been hurling, I had become so discouraged over the months, and it seemed my passion and inspiration had long since boarded a train with a south bound destination. Then out of the blue, though I prefer to think it was a divine appointment, I was struck by something that I found on my computer that morning. I was immediately captivated. I read and watched all of the videos I could find on something callled VIRTUAL CHOIR and a man named Eric Whitacre. I attend a small church and we have a praise and worship band, so I was not up to date on choral music at all. But as I listened to VC 1.0 and LUX, I was smitten. This was definitely something I had to do. Simple, I thought. So when the time came, I downloaded the music and began practicing in my free time. I cannot believe it, but I have to say it is one of the most challenging things I have done in a long time. I must have recorded the piece 50 times before I got the results I felt I could release for the world to see, and still it was not at all something I was very proud of. However, time was running out. Worn to a frazzle, 10 minutes before the deadline had come and gone, my husband uploaded my video to Youtube, January 10, 2011. Undoubtedly, I must have been the last entry.

    Well, since that time passion and inspiration have returned. What an amazing and fascinating experience this has been for this teacher. I cannot explain it, but my motivation has been kicked into overdrive and many new and exciting possibilities are waiting for my attention. As a child, I learned a song that began with the words "It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around will warm up to its glowing...." I thank God for Virtual Choir, a much needed spark at this time in my life.

  • Jane Aliga-Caparroso

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    Apr 9 2011: I'm what you call a "TCK" - a "third culture kid" who grew up in a country not of my or my parents' national identities. I was born in the Philippines and lived in Indonesia for my entire childhood, and well into high school. I also now live in a completely different country altogether! Nevertheless, choral singing has ALWAYS been a huge part of my life and my worldview... aside from it being where I learned about notes & singing techniques, it's where I began to appreciate music from all over the globe. We were all from different countries, and it's where I learned to be at harmony with everyone around me, help & support others, learn my part and do it to the best of my ability, and listen. The world music we produced was always phenomenal for every member of our international family.

    Singing in the virtual choir was indeed a different experience, with its own brand of musical challenge, but the end result is still the same: the international, global family is still in awe of us all coming together in this new & brave & dazzling way, making beautiful music AS ONE. The social & musical engineering of this project is breathtaking and moves me beyond tears. Here is the paragon of the Indonesian crest of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika ("many, yet one"). Here also is the embodiment of Filipino bayanihan (communal spirit). And now from where I am in New Jersey... we're livin' on a prayer!

  • Senia Coh

    • +1
    Apr 8 2011: I love music. I can't imagine my life without it. When I heard Eric Whitacre talking about his idea of Virtual Choir in September 2010 on the NPR show, I immediately knew I have to be a part of it. The idea of connecting with other people from different cultures, languages, religions etc. through music was so appealing to me. I spent a week or more singing my part almost every day to record the video properly. My neighbors were smiling when we crossed outside and I was thinking - it was all because of that fortissimo part at the end of the piece!! (The walls in our apartment complex are very thin)
    My husband, who was very patient during this time, couldn't stop singing my part for a while - he learned the dynamics, lyrics and everything! (Usually he is very reluctant to sing) It was so funny. Next time I will drag him in too :)
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    Morna Wheatley

    • +1
    Apr 8 2011: Having become a fan of Eric Whitacre's choral music, two years ago I joined my Chamber Choir just because they were going to sing "Lux Aurumque" soon. Having seen the original Virtual Choir and loved it, I was overjoyed when I heard about the new one. I was so excited about having the chance to join in, I told everyone about it and tried to get them to do it too. But time went on, and although I learnt my part (and meanwhile sang it with my choir too!), somehow I just didn't get around to recording it - until the day of the original deadline, when I realised I was afraid - afraid that I wouldn't be good enough. I am so grateful to you for extending the deadline! I knew I had to get over my anxiety and just do it. I have to say the technical side was trickier than I'd thought it would be, and hearing yourself singing alone is very revealing! But determination set in and 3 days and many "takes" later, it was done. Not perfect, not even great - but OK - and I felt a HUGE sense of achievement. Thank you Eric, for giving people all around the world the opportunity to feel proud. xo
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    Paul Clayton

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    Apr 8 2011: I haven't been able to participate in a choir since graduating from college in Fall 2002. Having had my hands (and voice) in multiple styles of music from renaissance to rock my entire life, having toured the US and led worship nearly every week at churches for the past twelve years, I always came back to choral music. I nearly became a high school choir director, but the prospects were leaning further to being a glorified homeroom teacher rather than a director and educator of music, so I continued with the other career track I was on, which was also in music. I love what I do, but the extent of my career activities haven't allowed any time to get involved in a choir again. I found the link to the first Virtual Choir on YouTube barely two weeks after the video launched and was heartbroken that I wasn't able to be a part of it. After sharing the video with pretty much everyone I know, I found the Virtual Choir website and saw that v2.0 was in the works. I immediately made checking the website part of my daily routine to make sure I didn't miss the deadline this time. In spite of not having rehearsals together (which is one of my favorite parts of the choral experience), it was incredibly refreshing and nostalgic to be a part of a choir again. I'm honored to have been a part of this, and I certainly hope to participate in future endeavors!

    My video submission: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEU-AFCXA_I

  • Camille Lee

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    Apr 8 2011: I grew up having a grandmother who was a school choral director for many years, an aunt who was also a school choral music director, another aunt who sang opera and was the executive director of two very well known choral ensembles, and musical parents. I don't remember a time when music wasn't ingrained into everyday life. Being in a choir was always a very important part of myself, and I've been involved in choirs of all sizes. Singing with other people to make one unified sound has always intrigued me, because we can't make that sound alone. Our adult auditioned choir here is about 40 voices, the largest was a 180 voice symphony chorale in the Pacific Northwest. I thought that was the largest group I would EVER be involved with. How wrong I was! The Virtual Choir 2.0 experience was definitely life-changing. It brought together so many people from all walks of life, all over the world, into one cohesive but evolving unit. I am still in awe. My friends are in awe. My family...it has affected everyone who has realized what this is.

  • Robert Reid

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    Apr 7 2011: VIRTUALITY, a real thing, and a NEW WORD.
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    Narelle Worboys

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    Apr 7 2011: Part 2 of 3

    I _loved_ working with a skilled conductor. Eric knows what he wants and leads with clarity. He also has a talent for connecting with his choir. You see, the experience didn't cease when I uploaded the video of my vocal part. Through social media, I've been noticed and validated. I’ve conversed with a music professional who generously allows me access to his knowledge and his friends. I've asked for advice and shared in online music experiences with others.

    From my lonely place on the planet, I've become part of a universal, ongoing musical event. My health might limit my physical journey, but the internet has opened the world to me. I'm amazed and blessed to be given this opportunity.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geEm94ULVSQ
    http://www.Songuine.blogspot.com
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    Narelle Worboys

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    Apr 7 2011: Details while I wait...

    Hi from Narelle Worboys
    New Zealand
    an unlikely choir member, thrilled to have gained admission to this stupendous party!

    Part 1 of 3

    I have a health challenge that complicates vocal sound, range, and control. I'm not strong enough to be part of a real-time choir. Real-time socializing is rare. My parents are the only people I see on a day-to-day basis. (Now and then townspeople say to me, "Where have you been all these years?") Virtual Choir gave me the opportunity to IGNORE all these things! Making music is my dream. Because of broadband internet, I can pursue music education and experience while I wait for my body to be freed.

    I wasn't affected by the northern hemisphere snow storms in December, but not having heard about the project until early December, the deadline extension meant I had enough time to memorize my part, figure out how to make my equipment work, find a day when my voice would work, and nail a good take. I couldn't have done it without the extra 10 days. I freaked when my lighting system clunked twice on my best take, but hooray for Tony Piper who promptly emailed back to me that this would not exclude me from participating.

    The music was difficult, requiring control and dynamic flexibility that stretched me. I struggled, supposing this piece was something that 'normal' singers handle with ease, but at the same time I revelled in it being ‘the real thing’. Worried I wasn't good enough, I paid close attention to the details in the sheet music and Eric's tutorial and conductor videos, and I studied other member uploads to gauge my progress.

    To be continued...
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    Narelle Worboys

    • +1
    Apr 7 2011: Hi everyone! I got here late, but I'm doing my best to catch up with what's going on. I'm loving reading about you all. Your stories are wonderful.

    How I heard about Virtual Choir:
    In July 2010, while camping online with hundreds of Susan Boyle auditionees for 12 days past the promised winner announcement date, I found Virtual Choir 1.0 via Melody Myer's Susan's Search auditon video, and with awe and delight shared Lux Aurumque with my fellow squatters. It served as an inspiration for us to form our own virtual choir (SuBo), just for fun and open to anyone who auditioned for Susan. Melody's videos (i.e. Animal Crackers) led me to find out more about Eric Whitacre. It was a comment on his Facebook wall in December that alerted me to a second Virtual Choir project. I let SuBo VC know, hoping we could be one of the choirs represented, but only one other member managed to upload a video. Bravo for persevering, Corina Acosta!

    The brief on me:
    I’m ill, and isolated because of it. Fifteen of my 34 years have passed like this, but my dream is to share music with others. Virtual Choir gave me that opportunity. I’m stunned and deeply grateful to be part of it. Thank you, Eric and Team Whitacre.

    • Charles McHaley

      • 0
      Apr 17 2011: I am impressed with your virtuosity- in the fullest meaning: purity, power,nobility, honesty, I too have been ill all my life but now I am totally disabled w/stage 4 acute heart disease. So hang strong. You gave me a lift tonight when I truly needed it along with the choir. While I do not consider my voice a solo quality I have sung in many choirs since I was very young. I have even plowed through The Messiah and Brahms' Requiem. Because of you I am going to search out this next choir. Thanks!!

  • Shelagh Fisher

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    Apr 7 2011: I had never heard of the Virtual Choir, nor Eric Whiitacre, until my friend - a singing teacher- told me about them. Well- I became hooked - listening to Eric's music, learning the Alto2 part for 'Sleep', and just marvelling at the use of technology for communicating and sharing the joy of music! VC 1.0 had me in tears. I'm a retired (only 57!) uni lecturer in technology & web management - and - OMG - I wish I'd had this to show to my students. I also sing in a choir and started learning piano & theory at the grand old age of 41. Music has become my lifeblood. After my husband's funeral in 2002, I just sat at the piano and carried on learning a Bach piece for an exam. What a saviour! Having recenltly retired (my husband & I worked together & i couldn't stand the space he had left any longer), I have been a bit 'lost'. I've moved 4 times in the last 3 years.

    The VC has given me a purpose in many ways. Apart from contributing an alto part (not v. good tho' ...), I feel part of a like-minded community, and I have a deep, deep satisfaction at the use of the Internet for bringing together those who love music - especially singing. Eric Whitacre is a true pioneer as well as a superb composer. He is a giant amongst giants, such as Ted Nelson and Bill Gates. In the UK, he should be 'knighted' for his contributions to music and the use of technology.
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    Alexander Wilhelmsen

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    Apr 7 2011: (Part 2 of 2)
    If you remember how this started, this project is even more amazing. One sweet voice of a nervous Eric Whitacre fan and aspiring composer named Britlin inspires the world class conductor to do this, and now that "one sweet voice" is one of our many, hopefully inspiring the world.

    Our audience to come is an audience of millions (check out the "Views" for "Lux") worldwide.

    Also, live you can't sing more than one part at a time, in this forum, we could do more than one thing (I covered the Tenor parts).

    I will say that despite being a last minute addition, it's awesome to know that I made it and that I'm excited to see the final result, and I will close with part of something I wrote just after I wrapped up my postings in the final hours (10:30 pm EDT on the last day) to try and inspire whoever may be reading to just go for it:

    "Anyone who's been in a live choir knows that it's not about one person (and everyone makes their mistakes), it's the collective, and we've got around 2,000 parts over who knows how many people, so there's a good chance no one was perfect alone, but together we're perfect."

    Among the coolness of this project were the people who appreciated my words to whoever may be reading.

    To Eric Whitacre for directing this, Britlin Losse for inspiring this whole concept, and to my fellow members of this "perfect" choir... thank you.

    After I recorded for VC 2.0, I went back and watched the "Lux" video again, and I have to ask... if you're a singer, especially with choral experience... how could you watch and listen to that and not want to be a part of it?

    Watching that for the first time after joining this effort and knowing that this is around 2000, not just over 200... how can you not be awed and humbled?

    It's amazing that this project has caught the attention of TED, NPR, PJTV, and millions of viewers. I already know that the next Virtual Choir Project will be amazing. I can't wait for the release of VC 2.0, It's going to be great!
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    Alexander Wilhelmsen

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    Apr 7 2011: (Part 1 of 2)
    How I came across the "Virtual Choir" project was thanks to a program called "Trifecta" on PJTV.com where they featured part of the "Lux Aurumque" edition of the project during a segment where the commentators took a break from their usual political talk with a tinge of snark and celebrated three wonders of our modern world (another part of the segment included this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1L4GUA8arY (the air traffic of the world over 24 hours).

    The next time I came across VC was when I saw that they were doing it again on Eric's website on the first day it came out. Oddly enough, I was part of the last minute push.

    Anyways, when I saw the "Lux" video, I loved it and wish I had known about it and been a part of it. If "Lux" comes around again (maybe to see what it looks like with 2000 voice parts), I hope to be one of them.

    I am practically a 26 year old lifelong singer who's been a part of a choir, band, or I was learning music in some way throughout. It's not something that's my calling, but it is something that I love to do. If you can speak, you can sing. Lately I've been a part of my church choir and praise team and have lately been bless with the opportunity to be a soloist at my modest sized church.

    While the downside of VC is that we aren't live together learning this to perfection with personal direction, the exchange is that our choir isn't just those in our community and neither is the audience. Our choir is composed of people from nearly 60 countries from the absolutely amazing to those who simply have the guts to do this. I'm somewhere in the middle where I love music and have some talent to do it, and that's just fine. I've seen some of the videos of some of my fellow singers and it's amazing to sing with talent that I otherwise would've never been connected with.

    Here are my two contributions to the project:
    Tenor 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpPCo1M76uw
    Tenor 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TReqat75Z28

  • Catherine Haines

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    Apr 6 2011: I love to sing even though I don't think I have a very good voice. The first Virtual Choir, Lux Aurumque, blew me away. I had never seen anything so beautiful or moving on the internet. From that moment, I became a fan or Eric Whitacre and was hoping for the opportunity to participate in the next VC event. When the launch of VC 2.0 was announced, I was ready. Even though I doubted I would make the "cut", I was going to submit an audition anyways. I was even more encouraged to realize that all who participated by uploading a video would be included. The music for "Sleep" was challenging. I worked really hard at rehearsal. When I finally felt ready, I began recording. I made over a dozen "takes" until I produced my best effort. It has been uplifting to be a part of this world-wide collaboration. Here is a link to my YouTube audition:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFhQCNkMnJM

  • Ingrid Schaedtler

    • +1
    Apr 5 2011: I got involved in the Virtual Choir in the beginning when we did the Sleep experiment 2 years ago. I’d never sung any of Eric Whitacre’s work and I REALLY wanted to. The Sleep experiment was difficult because there was no conductor, we sang from the Polyphony recording, and I only had the alto part. I spent an entire morning doing take after take. Lux Aurumque and this version of Sleep were so much easier because Eric was conducting and I had the full score.
    I live in a large city and sing in a number of choirs and I’m surrounded by a lot of really good musicians. But none of them could really understand WHY I wanted to participate. And the criticism was more along the lines of – and I’ve heard this often about the Virtual Choir – it’s not the same as singing live with a conductor and other singers. And that’s completely true. I certainly didn’t get the same rush – I didn’t get any rush! I was too nervous. You have to sing your line like a solo and just IMAGINE the rest of the choir singing along with you – except they’re not. There’s no one to cover for you if you mess up, and you know that if you actually get a good take, you’re going to upload this to youtube and anyone in the entire world can listen to you. My answer to my critical friends at the time was: Well, why not? It’s not detracting from my experience of singing in a ‘real’ choir because I have that anyway. This is just something new, different, exciting and challenging.
    And about that missing rush? Well, I got something similar when I heard and saw Lux Aurumque and Sleep 2.0 for the first time. Not quite the same of course, but how often can you be in the audience of one of your own performances? And how often are we as amateur, semi-professional and even professional singers able to bring the beauty and power of the human voice to a potential audience of millions? With Sleep, people from all over the world have created something FOR people all over the world!
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9gqGuNY3tE

  • John Kennedy

    • 0
    Apr 5 2011: Major excitement, chats with friends, hours in front of the computer learning lines, finding camcorders, practicing, practicing, take after take after take, charge camera, take after take, collapse, sleep. Dream the damned melodies, get up, take after take, SUCCESS! No, need another take, another take, SUCCESS!
    Upload, feel proud, more chats with friends, go back to computer learn second line, practice, practice, borrow camcorder again, practice, practice, see deadline approach, feel stressed, take after take after take, SUCCESS!
    Upload, feel DEAD proud and happy to be such a part of such an ephemeral, non corporeal yet perfectly tangible and open, welcoming community.
    Chats with friends, look at third line, look at deadline, give up!

  • Bev Meerbach

    • +1
    Apr 5 2011: My 16-year-old daughter and i both participated in this. She has been given the honor of singing the Eyze Sheleg solo in the Five Hebrew Love Songs in both the Georgia Regional Girls Choir and the Cherokee Chorale; that is how she became familiar with the works of Eric Whitacre. She then did the ol' "let me do all the Lux parts on my garage band thing "and then found out about the first virtual choir which was recorded and released by then, and she was sad she missed out. I got an email from our chorale about the Sleep project and we both decided to do it, and now i am humbled by the results. When i saw the TED clip, i cried, as many others commented. But, i cried because this is such a wonderfully visual medium for a young teen to see that they are part of a whole world that can work together for something extraordinary. Her dream job to sing around the world, well she got to do it with one small video clip! Thank you so much.

  • Mariana Artieda

    • +1
    Apr 5 2011: I live in Argentina, and I've been singing in choirs since I was 7. I'm 26 now and I can say that this experience was wonderful: knowing that I would be part or something as big and vast as the internet, and as music that will last a life time, is awesome. This is what makes the internet feel like something real, something that is formed by real people, who love beauty and music, and who can come together to form something amazing and expectacular like this. Thanks Eric!
    Mariana, soprano 2, Argentina

  • Kathleen Ewald

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    Apr 4 2011: I started singing publicly when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I just loved singing. I never thought one way or the other about whether or not I had any talent until I auditioned my freshman year for the school musical. They kept auditioning me. Next thing I knew I was being put into the top choir. I did not get a part in the musical outside of just chorus. Still, I had so much fun, that to explore more "fun" and I auditioned for some pro-am community shows and the same thing happened. Next thing I knew I was in the shows as the youngest "cast" member playing an adult chorus part. In high school came Regional and All-State competitions, more school musicals and community shows. In college I went to study music to be a choral teacher and discovered I am right-left coordination challenged. Conducting would probably never be something I could pass let alone master and lead others. I realized it was the joy of making music happen with others or by myself, be it on stage, in a chorus, or alone in my living room was where my heart was. I have been singing since I was 3 or 4 and I am a grandmother now. I have performed Mr. Whitacre's pieces in the past and my current choir, Cantilena (Arizona) is planning more in the future. My dream would be to come to one of his workshops but have not yet been able to make that happen. From the age of 3 or 4 to now I have spent a lifetime singing for the pure joy of it. VC was a joy to participate in. Digital/virtual is new and fresh and cutting edge. I can't wait to see what is next?

  • Dot Mitzvah

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    Apr 4 2011: I've been singing all my life, and in choirs for the majority of that time. "Sleep" has personal significance due to a college performance. A dear friend of mine was in the bass section and I was in the first soprano section. We would always look at each other and burst into laughter during rehearsals. It really made choir worth attending (moreso than the required attendance from being a music major).

    This dear, beautiful friend took his own life in 2003. I remember being in my house after his funeral, scrubbing the bathroom floor while listening to music, and sobbing, my face soaking the tiles, when "Sleep" came on. I could only think, "Man, he was always so loud at this point", and how I'd give anything to have him back in my life.

    I dedicated my performance (under "NorahCam" on youtube) to my dear friend Matthew, and know that had he been alive, he would have been all over this phenomenon.
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    Amy Daniels

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    Apr 4 2011: I started singing in choirs when I was 11yrs old. This afforded me many opportunities to trot the globe, taste victory at Eisteddfods, perform for Nelson Mandela & friends... all while doing what I enjoyed most - making music (what a blessing!).

    Unfortunately, these experiences were enough to inflate my ego too. I started believing I was invincible & took on far more than I could handle. Then I lost my singing voice due to laryngitis (okay... due doing the school musical with laryngitis) & the abuse my poor vocal cords had endured over the years. Now my voice is a lot huskier than it used to be & I find it more difficult to pitch etc. It's been frustrating & difficult trying to get used to this "new" (it's been 6 years now) voice, so i've never stuck it out in any of the ensembles/choirs i've joined since then.

    I chickened out of the Virtual Choir twice before (Ah! So wish i'd done "Lux Aurumque" - it's a favourite of mine!), but finally plucked up the courage to record a video & submit it this time around (the day before the extended deadline, after much "backwards & forwards" & neurotic Facebooking)! Yay! It may not sound like much, but it's a real confidence-booster, being able to participate a project with a composer whose music makes my heart soar whenever i hear it... I mean... I hear Whitacre, and instead of the bitterness that's peppered my responses to Classical music since 2004, i'm left feeling a certain inexpressible something. And now, through the EWVC, i get to share (& make!) that something with over 2000 other passionate people!

    Hehe... The choir bug has bitten again! I've just found a new singing teacher & am hoping to join the our university choir next year & start taking music seriously again - but I'll check my ego at the door & sing because I'm passionate about it!

    Here's my tiny part of the phenomenal whole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SejpHf7AVc

  • C Mc

    • 0
    Apr 4 2011: Hi, I’m Carolyn McQuillan from Massachusetts, United States. I had the good fortune of being in the 2010 Massachusetts All State Chorus, and it was there that I realized just how much I love music; it is more than just fun and pretty – it really moves us all spiritually. There’s something about all the people in the room striving for the same thing: to crescendo up to the powerful climax of a piece or swell harmonies together that is really incredible, and there’s nothing like it in all the world. No amount of money can buy what music creates, and the Virtual Choir allowed all 2052 of us to share our love of the greatest thing in life, even though we’ll never meet face to face. Thank you so much to Eric Whitacre and everyone involved in the process. I can’t wait for Thursday!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzWJ-44Ds8o

  • Melissa Cody

    • 0
    Apr 4 2011: I am very proud to be a member of the Virtual Choir! I have been singing in my local church choir for the past 5 years, and I love to sing! Several months ago, my mom showed me Eric Whitacre's Lux Aurumque video, and I thought, "I would like do that!" As luck would have it, Eric was planning for Sleep! This is such a wonderful way to share beautiful music with people all over the world!
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