Alleluia - Eric Whitacre

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Milwaukee Art Museum, 2014
Dr. Gary R. Schwartzhoff, conductor

[@IsraelLight-777]

Thank you for that wonderful performance and for a beautiful and a vocally perfected version of a popular composition....And to Eric.... Thank you for giving back... Av'SHALOM❤.. ⚔ 🦁🕎🕎🕎🦁 ⚔

[@abandonedmuse]

Who else laughed at the very determined toddler that wanted to join? The acoustics are so beautiful there. This is one of the most beautiful versions of this song.

[@alejadgaf8527]

I heard Eric Whitacre for the first time in my freshman year of high school and I've never been the same. Music like this is unlike any other from my generation.. I'm so grateful it graced my life

[@Rovalq1819]

This is hands down one of the best performances of an Eric Whitacre piece. The venue's acoustics are spectacular and every voice is heard loud and clear. Such talented singers; I wish I could have been standing there in person!

[@StIke88]

Will always be a great memory performing this song with this choir in this venue.

[@biabeo8540]

One of the original choristers here filmed? *CONGRATULATIONS* and sincere BLESSINGS...... I am broaching the subject of bringing this to a group of choristers .... Any tips starting out? (Have not even looked at any scores for it so am totally ignorant. But 9 minutes says enough. Haha) We have just completed a tour of STABAT MATER (Pergolesi), which is very different... What style would I even introduce this piece as, (besides "contemporary"/...??) *Thank you again!*

[@davidscott1052]

Listening to this is like biting off a large chunk of chocolate and letting it melt in your mouth ....pure heaven!!!!!!!

[@positivistnullifidian3624]

As grateful as we may be for the creative voice of Eric Whitacre, we might also recognize the imaginative mind of Santiago Calatrava--what an incredible space he designed, not only for light, but for music! There are few sounds that can stir the heart like the pure sonorities of accomplished a cappella singing. The conductor has prepared his chorus well ... and the choir has delivered.

[@hannahgibson2152]

My senior year was cut off due to COVID-19. Performances like these truly move me and push me even more to continue singing in choirs in college (even though I’m not going to be a music major!) ❤️ I can’t imagine life without music; just 3 months has been hard enough

[@richardmyers3479]

Hannah, hope your journey continues. Eric is one of my favorites.

[@lanesejohnsonhu2259]

This is what I feel heaven will sound like

[@Axyeron]

Lanese Johnson Hu ikr

[@soggyslopster6800]

Lanese Johnson Hu there is no heaven. So you better hold on to this while you can

[@AW-uo9lg]

Eric's and ola gjeilo's works are heaven

[@steamboatsound5935]

@@soggyslopster6800 Yikes. Quite offensive to those who believe there is...

[@soggyslopster6800]

Steamboat Sound shut up nerd

[@coopsahoy8563]

This choir is very experienced with balance of voice parts wowwww. Also all the voices are sooo pure. It’s like drinking a glass of fresh water

[@philgolson6306]

For you folks who aren't in the band/wind ensemble world, we've known this piece as "October" for many years. It is sublime.

[@connorduquette1432]

Eric Whitacre is a genius.

[@davidscott1052]

Yes he is

[@AkashaLonsdale-Deighton]

I felt as though my whole being just melted into this exquisite sound; truly a balm for the soul. Bliss.....

[@jeffharris9981]

everyone in the choir was sent down from Heaven to sing this.

[@bellis7772]

Choir music is one of the things that lead me to Jesus❤️ And this piece by Whitacre holds a special place in my heart. It sounds even more beautiful now after having been saved! Thank you God for all the beautiful things in this broken world that allow us to get a glimpse of your beauty🙏

[@Space_Nature_Birds]

Amen

[@melodysummer2166]

the male soloist's voice is beyond amazing!

[@petervella6973]

I know right?? So powerful too

[@gle062]

I finally visited this museum. I took the glass elevator down to this lobby level, as I stepped into the room I couldn't help but say out loud "WOW". Stunning space and building.

[@Ashleewilcox]

My favorite is when the light comes out and shines upon them at the very end, like a beautiful little blessing or gratitude from the universe...

[@Axyeron]

Ashlee wilcox not from the universe but if your christan Jesus or heaven

[@ZacharyJMoore]

As a member of this choir, believe me, it was a chilling moment when that happened for many of us...

[@maliekgreen488]

I love this video because many other choirs speed the song up to the point where you can't really enjoy every piece of it and it feels rushed, how ever this choir took their time and allowed me to feel the music which is something I personally enjoy☺️😂

[@Quantumcross2]

The small child's smile really sets the tone for this entire piece

[@sakuntalabasu1493]

Heavenly music, how I wish I were there in the choir singing along with them

[@jamiebaldwin4827]

Thank you, singers, for believing in the beauty of this piece. A composer is worth nothing unless there are singers who will lift his/her creation off the page and into your heart, soul, and mind first, and then offer it to us, the listener. You are blessed to be a blessing.

[@biabeo8540]

How beautifully put; THANK YOU!!

[@yihui31]

I teared up listening to this... it's utterly beautiful. Praise the LORD for his marvellous creation and gifts to men. Whitacre is also such a blessing :')

[@olegp2309]

this is absolutely amazing, lively and vivid performance and harmonies flow through, credits to the conductor. Whitacre famous clusters shine here.

[@cool-stumbleguy3966]

An incredible performance of Eric Whitacre's 'Alleluia'. You honored him and his music with your voices, musicianship and emotion. Kudos to your conductor for his interpretation and direction that I believe matched what Eric Whitacre heard with his musical creation. I wish I could have been there to witness in person. I was moved to tears. Thanks to all.

[@donhawkins9279]

Such amazingly mature voices for their age. Truly a pleasure.

[@marytron7371]

Music is at the core, the center, of the very essence of the soul and the universe. God loves music and He blessed us with this gift and the sounds exist in everything He has created.

[@GIGroundNPound]

And they say the sound of angels doesn't reach us mortals....wonderful. Truly wonderful.

[@lareegray6613]

So beautiful like a gently glistening pool of soft water running over you with every perfect note.

[@deino117]

Those first "Alleluias" have a lost, searching quality to them. Lovely.

[@Ashleewilcox]

deino117 and pitch perfect sopranos, too

[@DMLand]

Whitacre's compositions demand a lot of sopranos: not just pitch perfection, but a crystal clarity without a hint of strain.

[@kabirrubaiyat]

Yes!

[@sapienite]

Crystal clear. Moving lines that rise and settle into one another. Forward moving yet expressive tempo. Incredible delicacy and richness on the downward-disappearing fast figure before the piece transitions to its final end. This performance just flows from beginning to end. And the sound booming in that open space. And yet so in tune with one another. When I hear this piece, I'll know what to listen for now.

[@ellenjordan4959]

what a sound! What lovely rich harmonies. Venue super. Wow.

[@jsaavedr1]

Gotta love those cluster chords!

[@Jenifer.flute20]

This makes me miss singing so much.....beautiful.

[@martidawson4375]

Jenifer Swanson Oh...Never quit singing !! It's so good for you, & you'll be healthier & live longer !! Be sure to sign up on Eric's fansite/webpage, so you'll get info about the next Virtual Choir (5)..coming sometime in the future !! Also, we have a wonderful VirtualChoirFriends online Community, and we occasionally do our own VC projects !! Try to sing at church or join a community choir !! xo Marti

[@Jenifer.flute20]

I'm going to start with a community choir in the fall when they're back from break. I do sing at church, but I used to sing 5 days a week in college, and the regularity is what I miss the most. Also, church choir is nothing like college chamber singers full of music majors :)

[@martidawson4375]

Hi, Jennifer ! Thanks for your comments ! I just saw that you responded...I know how you feel ! I sang through jr. high & high school, but not in college (thought I 'd be too busy w/my studio art & art history classes for the choir commitment...I was, too!) But I kind of regret it now ! I didn't start singing again for many years, in our church choir, which has since grown a lot ! But I need to sing in 1 or 2 other community/sacred music choirs to, to get enough, and to learn and progress more !! I really hope you have a great time this fall in your new one !! ** Listen to Eric Whitacre's British Proms concerts this Sunday on BBC3 online Radio, too !! 3:30 BST....8 hrs. earlier here in the USA, whever you are ! I'm in Fallbrook, CA, so 7:30 am ! Have a great day !! :)

[@runakofungura4037]

Hi, is there still ever going to be a VC this year...I really miss singing..I sang basically everyday when I was in highschool because the choir I was in was a church choir and a school choir. I remember everyday for 3 good years, Monday to Friday singing from 1:30-5 pm, Saturday singing basically from 8:30- 5 pm with just 2 1 hour breaks in between..You could say I was always on my toes and busy and I enjoyed it..especially at the end of the day when I finally threw myself on my bed and felt myself relax knowing that I didnt waste my time at all...it was wonderful..

[@MusicIsARainbow]

I know how you feel! I'm in an awesome choir, but I don't get to sing with them 5x a week.

[@LizzCyrus]

Proud to know how to sing this masterpiece ❤️

[@coloraturaElise]

What a WONDERFUL space to perform this particular work! Great job, everyone! I've only ever played the band version "October", but it works so well with voices.

[@jorgepena4162]

I played "October" in high school in band. I didn't realize the choral arrangement was "Alleluia." Ugh... there is nothing like good choral performances!

[@Lecraeisawsome]

Yah I also played this in concert band last semester, I didn't know that this was the same arrangement either.

[@jenniferbeavers6959]

Jorge Pena I didn't even realise this was October!! But now that you mention it now I remember! Thanks for the memory, loved playing this in concert band but this choir just blows it out of the water.

[@DanielPowell9992]

Jorge Pena It's a BAND arrangement!? I love it even more now! Impulse-bought on JW Pepper...

[@ClassicalHD]

I think the band arrangement came after, and he liked it better so he re-named it October and published it again.

[@dseils]

Whitacre does tend to recycle music in different settings with different instrumentations and/or voice. Nothing wrong with that...it is well-established historically and is no less glorious for the transplant! Bravo!!

[@LuizFelipeRahn]

Oh my god! So full of Peace and light! Wish you guys can come to Brazil! Love all of your songs!

[@aydentwaddell2059]

This is the first piece of music I've heard in a long time that actually brought tears to my eyes. so amazing, the power of music.

[@russedav5]

because of the hands of a gifted choral master, Eric Whitacre. I think he can only write awesome music, especially for the greatest instrument of them all: the unaccompanied voice, alone made by God, all others only by mere man. Glorious.

[@biabeo8540]

@@russedav5 Very well said

[@evelynkirishko5407]

love love LOVE this song

[@lorenzonotarianni1667]

I really do not think I could have kept a calm and collected attitude listening to this there live. I'd be a very uncslm and very uncollected blob of a man crying his eyes out. Greetings from Rome Italy. October nearly November 2019.

[@harlowsrandomchannel9825]

At 5:46 , the second time round they do that pretty little three-chord phrase, man, I dunno, just seems so wild to me. Makes me feel some type of way. It’s beautiful y’all

[@taylor-mr3sf]

This is why I am so in love with music and performing in choirs... such an intense and uplifting experience. This was wonderfully sang🙏🏼

[@mirandahench8787]

this is the absolute most beautiful thing i have ever heard. I still have goosebumps and its been 5 minutes since the video ended.

[@davidscott1052]

Know how you feel sister !!!!!!!

[@jordangarcia3325]

Sopranos have such a nice pure sound. Amazing. I love how God gave us each our own instrument built right inside us to give him all the glory with!

[@charlie-yp2oq]

Yeah...

[@vickibarnhart3733]

This UWEC Choral Director makes beautiful choices for his students to experience!

[@nodlon20]

Note: That little girl seemed to love the music! lol So cute!

[@junejuly5967]

I love the build up from 2:10 - 2:21; how it just paves the road for that graceful and bone-chilling Alleluia at 2:22

[@sambitious]

Isa M - I never heard it described any better. 2:22 overwhelms me with so many emotions...

[@erinmiddleton9522]

I can't stop listening to this! The voices, in that space. overwhelmingly beautiful.

[@kenhalliday6940]

This music just tops up my soul.

[@Riley024680]

So beautiful. Outstandingly performed ^_^

[@GORDIEFISH2Much]

absolutely heavenly. divine intervention.

[@brandonsaraniti771]

I liked the part where they said Alleluia

[@gmanrider9]

lol. This made me laugh so hard I cried. On the real this is a great song.

[@katiebaker5245]

bro which part

[@davidscott1052]

@Ray Phenicie oh come on be nice ..he was just having a joke ...we are all here because we love this music

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

Lovely, even if it is repetitive, it is the tone, the dedication to worship, and the beauty of the voices. And, yes, I am a Fallen Catholic, so I can say this with absolute aplomb....:)

[@charlie-yp2oq]

@Ray Phenicie bro chill there just joking I mean I would've said the same thing X3

[@MrLassylady]

I can imagine hearing what the saints will sound like when they sing praise to God in Heaven!

[@UlrikaTomsen]

The music is so... calming.... soft and inspiring. The singles voices so near together though there are so many. I love the style... modern and still classical to me

[@nonnasgirl93]

i can't get over how amazing and beautiful this is i love Eric Whitacre. i wish my choir would do this. makes me soo jealous

[@summersingh4653]

Wow. OMG, I'm in love this this choir.

[@prestonwellis]

This choir is hands down one of my favorite ensembles I've ever had the honor and pleasure to hear. Much better than Concordia, Luther, and St. Olaf, even, in my opinion. I wish that you guys had a recording of Clausen's Prayer, because that was the best live performance I had ever heard of the piece.

[@weredone]

I agree... I don't understand the hype behind Olaf, when there are just as good things happening at some public schools in the midwest.

[@VibesBlair]

I take it you've never actually sung with The St. Olaf Choir, Luther Nordic Choir, or Concordia Choir.......

[@Kingwut117]

Such a real moment when everyone starts swaying with the allelu-'s...

[@KenzieGehrke]

+Kingwut117 thats one of UW Eau Claire's defining characteristics I love when they move with the music and you just feel everything they are singing.

[@thehsushoe]

I just about died and went to heaven at 8:40.

[@biabeo8540]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!! BLESS YOU

[@pedrozaragoza2253]

Gloriously sublime. Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

[@ceciliadicksonserrano4700]

Maravilhoso e celestial !!!!

[@christianperry5215]

At 8:30 has got to be the most beautiful part of that song😍

[@awakenotwoke86]

Played this in district band in 2004. Ever since then, Eric has been one of my favorite modern day composers.

[@katheys7055]

The acoustics help the sound a lot!

[@nickhetebrueg8518]

The Milwaukee Art Museum is specifically designed for it also! Great place to go if you ever have a chance.

[@graceworley5017]

Such a fantastic performance! 7:36 has to be my favorite part.

[@keeganpippett4982]

Omg I watched this a few years ago and didn’t recognize the piece, but the honor band in our area just played this song and I’ve been listening to it ever since. Now I’m back here and I love it

[@morawskijames]

This deserves way more views.

[@PauloCesarMaiadeAguiar]

Really divine chorus pieces

[@karmickpc]

Oh that is magic.

[@danieljortiz]

Wow, Gary. Great direction for this song!

[@Hector95100]

Those basses are intense. I feel like I'm hearing undertones at 1:44. I know that overtones are a thing, but idk about undertones. whatever they sound great. lol

[@Jbm0230]

It's the 5th of the chord. It does magical things...

[@ZacPB189]

***** It's called a "resultant tone". Some organs use it to produce tones lower than the size of the building allows.

[@theawesomesausage]

It's the perfect fifth, my friend. Be careful or it'll shake your heart apart.

[@grateful9181]

Fifth cord. Amazing

[@GregoryBurdge]

That’s because the Bass II part is so freaking low! We are going to perform this song Dec 18th & 19th at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall!

[@emilyoxley1476]

wow...I mean wow! What a sensational performance :)

[@gelora1260]

My highschool choir was supposed to go to the world choir games in Belgium in July 2020. Obviously that got canceled, but this was part of our repertoire. I can't begin to imagine what it would've been like to sing this incredible piece with a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people watching. My choir director told us during practice that we wouldn't understand what it feels like "until we reach measure 106", which is about 8:41. I'm still waiting to reach measure 106.

[@kimosabi860]

pure tone.

[@celiametcalf2525]

Gorgeous voices, beautiful blend of the holiday classics, with a nice overtone. Wonderful sound!

[@JHHBeck]

Well done. Whitacre's composition is second to none.

[@AW-uo9lg]

Well, I'd say his greatest competition is Ola Gjeilo, his work is just as good

[@dandickinson345]

simply stunning.... goosebumps!

[@aidensmithmartin6948]

The only thing i found bad about this recording is the audience. Man those cameras in the first minute ruined the feel for me. But past the first minute or so it was absolute perfection.

[@besurreal]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@deino117]

Wow - how the sun comes in at the end there... Very Vaughan Williams!!

[@GospelDrumCare]

Exactly from October I love it!!

[@lucasbila5565]

Amazing. Beautiful harmony.

[@darlingsunshine4824]

Yesssss!!!! Beautiful

[@nodlon20]

So beautiful!! Thank you for sharing! Lifts my heart to the heavens!!

[@lawrencetchen]

Beautiful music, beautiful space.

[@carliquiel]

what a magnificent sound. stunning choir

[@WalkingTheBass]

This is incredibly beautiful.

[@MusicIsARainbow]

Haha! Love the toddler at the beginning. :-D

[@taloisi]

that space is beautiful.. and the sound wow!

[@kristinavallie2508]

Love this song great job everyone

[@kirillscream_sml8024]

Это просто невероятно! Браво!

[@carolsmith1461]

That song was beautiful

[@julioe.ogalde363]

Beautiful

[@jenniferbeavers6959]

Wow, what a fantastic arrangement and a superb choir!! Stumbled upon this and so glad I did!! Well done

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

Wonderful performance! Bravo!

[@debixx6521]

beautiful just beautiful

[@JazzyJ0]

Chills already at 5 notes.

[@cnm1123]

Gorgeous.

[@mikeortiz7874]

FANTASTICO!! AMAZING!!