Friday, April 15, 2011

The Power of Voice: The 2,000 voice "Virtual Choir"

 Remember the New Seekers, I'd like to teach the world to sing?  Well, it's finally happened.  Here is Ted Whitacre's "TED" talk - and get ready to be blown away:



Here is the full performance of the first Virtual Choir:




And here is the full performance of the 2,000+ member Virtual Choir:




This is actually 2052 voices from 53 countries.  Read more about it here. Tip of the Tinfoil to EM for posting this on FB.  Thank you!!

15 comments:

Dale Matson said...

I liked this video but in my opinion, not all "TED ideas worth sharing" are worth sharing. The following one by Bill Gates in particular."Bill Gates on energy: Innovating to zero!" My response to it is is called "Bill Gates a failed philanthropy for the planet." http://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2011/03/bill-gates-failed-philanthropy-for.html.

songbirdwc said...

I lurk and don't usually post, but this is worth posting on. I almost submitted a part for "Sleep," having a choral background and having heard a wonderful professional choir sing "Sleep." (see amazing videos at http://antiochchamberensemble.org) I loved it so much that, of course, I wanted to sing in this virtual choir. But.... the voice was not in shape and it would have taken a bit more time than I had. LOVE this effort, though I'm aware that it completely misses the dynamic of community and singing as a group activity in-person. A virtual choir can't sense breathing together, or tuning, or the nuances of blend. But nevermind, I love this anyway and only wish I could have particpated. What an amazing endeavor by a phenomenal composer... Thanks so much for posting this.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for being willing to champion the music of a really great composer (who, I'm sure you are aware, is quite outspoken on a number of social issues with which you seriously would disagree). He's been a strong voice for the gay and lesbian community in Utah and beyond (even though he, himself, is heterosexual). He has even written in a few choral journals about the divinity inherent in some of his music. You can hear it in this piece especially through his use of parallel sixths. Anyway, all to say, I'm impressed that you're breaking out of only posting extremely conservative thoughts by extremely radical people. Eric Whitacre is a great musician and composer, with a gifted voice that extends beyond just his music.

Unknown said...

Anon - you write as though this is your first time here at the cafe. The politicalization of music is so tiresome - what matters is whether it is good or bad - or is the point now just to see Music through a narrow political lens????

BB

Dale Matson said...

Anonymous,
"I'm impressed that you're breaking out of only posting extremely conservative thoughts by extremely radical people." Name calling does not constitute rebuttal.

Unknown said...

Um, I think it's actually the New Seekers, Mary.

Unknown said...

That's right, Rod! I've fixed it - thank you :)

bb

Unknown said...

And by the way friends, here at the Cafe you will hear coming out of the Juke Box the music of notable artists who have diverse political and theological opinions. Isn't that sort of the whole point?????

bb

EM said...

I'm so glad you shared this. My friend James is one of the tenors. He is a most interesting person. He is a geek who can sing. He loves choirs and singing in praise bands. He now lives in England with his family. My parish is poorer for their leaving. I miss them to this day.

Anonymous said...

BB - you apparently subscribe (as I do) to the musical dictum of Professor Peter Schickele (sp?) , AKA P.D.Q. Bach: "If it sounds good, it is good."

Scout

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