Ideas worth spreading

A virtual choir 2,000 voices strong

5,003,639 views | Eric Whitacre • TED2011

In a moving and madly viral video last year, composer Eric Whitacre led a virtual choir of singers from around the world. He talks through the creative challenges of making music powered by YouTube, and unveils the first 2 minutes of his new work, "Sleep," with a video choir of 2,052. The full piece premiered a few weeks later (yes, on YouTube!).

In a moving and madly viral video last year, composer Eric Whitacre led a virtual choir of singers from around the world. He talks through the creative challenges of making music powered by YouTube, and unveils the first 2 minutes of his new work, "Sleep," with a video choir of 2,052. The full piece premiered a few weeks later (yes, on YouTube!).

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Eric Whitacre

Composer, conductor

See speaker profile

After creating and conducting a worldwide virtual choir on YouTube, Eric Whitacre is now touring with an astonishing live choir.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.