An American composer and conductor is attempting to break the world record for the largest virtual choir – and he needs your help to do it.
Currently the record stands at 900 individuals, but Eric Whitacre is hoping to smash this by using clips uploaded onto popular video sharing site YouTube.
“I’m delighted to lead what I anticipate to be a big step forward for classical – and indeed, all – music,” Whitacre said in a statement on record label Decca’s website. “I hope this will be a moment in music history for the YouTube generation.”
This is not the first time that Whitacre has used the online platform to promote his choral activities, as his first virtual choir became a hit on YouTube receiving one million hits in just 60 days.
However, while the previous project attracted interest mainly from professional singers and performers, Whitacre is hoping to capture a new demographic with this project.
The first artist to lend his support to the record attempt is Blur bassist Alex James, who will add his voice to the performance of Whitacre’s composition ‘Sleep’.
“This proves that you no longer have to live in a major city to be a part of a significant cultural scene; this project is accessible to anyone from Manhattan to the Maldives,” James said in the statement.
If you would like to get involved, watch Eric’s singer instructional video here:
Entries to the record attempt will be uploaded via YouTube. An online tutorial explaining how to record and upload their chosen part is available and the closing date for entries is the end of 2010. View the recording instructions here:
To find out more about the project and getting involved see Eric Whitactre’s Virtual Choir channel on YouTube.
Currently the record stands at 900 individuals, but Eric Whitacre is hoping to smash this by using clips uploaded onto popular video sharing site YouTube.
“I’m delighted to lead what I anticipate to be a big step forward for classical – and indeed, all – music,” Whitacre said in a statement on record label Decca’s website. “I hope this will be a moment in music history for the YouTube generation.”
This is not the first time that Whitacre has used the online platform to promote his choral activities, as his first virtual choir became a hit on YouTube receiving one million hits in just 60 days.
However, while the previous project attracted interest mainly from professional singers and performers, Whitacre is hoping to capture a new demographic with this project.
The first artist to lend his support to the record attempt is Blur bassist Alex James, who will add his voice to the performance of Whitacre’s composition ‘Sleep’.
“This proves that you no longer have to live in a major city to be a part of a significant cultural scene; this project is accessible to anyone from Manhattan to the Maldives,” James said in the statement.
If you would like to get involved, watch Eric’s singer instructional video here:
Entries to the record attempt will be uploaded via YouTube. An online tutorial explaining how to record and upload their chosen part is available and the closing date for entries is the end of 2010. View the recording instructions here:
To find out more about the project and getting involved see Eric Whitactre’s Virtual Choir channel on YouTube.