Eric Whitacre conducts "Sleep"

[SALEENS7GTR5]

So glad to be singing this at my schools choir concert. So beautiful.

[harmonythouart]

had the privilege of singing this with one of the top choirs in the country with his private instruction... the greatest song I ever got to sing.  When you're in the middle of it... the harmonies and dissonant moments are just out of this gave us chills just singing it. Its still one of my favorite compositions- although all of his work I've gotten to sing I loved...

[xXLittleMissM0useyXx]

10 people have not surrendered unto sleep.

[boldergirl87]

3:30 -3:36 gives me chill bumps every time. AMAZING!



[cassandarlynn513]

It is amazing the kind of sound you can get our of a high school choir!

[whataho12]

3:08 - 3:16 gives me shivers

[MrBabyboy821]

Amazing job :).

[Gualorr]

I want to die listening to this song, so appropiate...

[DjKrandal]

Amazing,,,Truly,,,Amazing.



[BaboonBassoon]

One of the most beautiful choral pieces ever written :')

[TheVsmorgan]

i cant wait to sing with Mr, Whitacre when he comes to my city :) i am incredibly xcited.

[howamusing1]

i think i'm in love

[hskshag00]

not enough attack on 0:59 and not enough harmony on 1:06

other than that, great job!

[TheManger22]

My High School Choir did this song for contest and every time i hear it its makes me wanna cry

[jdog5421]

Still one of my favorite memories singing in that choir. Such great memories.

[Twilight5694]

We sang this at our fall concert this year and now working and our fourth Eric Whitacre piece. He's absolutly amazing and Im so glad my final year in high school is filled with his music.

[elijahbrantley]

He is a genius.

[vicentico64]

beautiful, beautiful

[Oreo493]

We're going to play this in band during the spring! Can't wait!

[KyandMace]

I'm a sophomore in high school and our choir is in the very beginning stages of preparing to perform this. I. am. so. excited!! This is magic. Pure amazement.

[Twilight5694]

@KyandMace

Im glad your excited to perform his music. Im a Senior this year and we've sang a total of four of his songs one of them we're taking to contest. Its hard music but in the end its all worth it. Have fun and i hope your class will experience more of his music.

[tonton1654e]

I just went to heaven for 5 minutes

[lwzable]

So much emotion in this song.

[meganbear141]

I sang this Sophomore year in high school, it surprises me how I still remember it all but it reminds me of how much I loved that choir. This song is incredibly beautiful and this rendition is pure perfection.

[dropkickproductiontx]

So.many.tears

[CelticHarmony15]

I'm in an advanced women's chorus called charisma and I've had the opportunity to sing she weeps over rahoon, sleep, and seal lullaby both at school and in honor choir performances. Regardless of how much time elapses, I never forget the notes I sang in whitacre's pieces. He is a sexy musical genius....I would faint if he conducted us. He brings out the best in every vocalist.

[AgnesRegina]

Oh, this is gorgeous.

[LittleBillification]

I absolutely love this song, we just got this for my High School Honors Choir and I REALLY want to do it! It is just so pretty. =)

[Fburgskater]

@LittleBillification I Did this song when I was in high school. The hearing it after YOUR choir preforms it is a feeling of undescribable measures. Now no matter when I hear this song, I get cold chills and that was 7 years ago when we sang this.

[UnallowedUserName]

For some reason this is the only recording of Sleep I can listen to.

[bennyclln]

I melted away at 3:05

[plazmanian]

a fantastic moving tune

[chrislikesbikes1]

The first tenor line is an absolute corker to sing, it's just a shame I won't hear how the whole thing sounds on performance day. If it's as good as this I'll be over the moon.

[TheConradish]

the balance is incredible.. you can hear every part perfectly. perfection

[SeanAttk]

Had a remembrance service just an hour ago, and this was sung. I literally was suppressing tears it was so beautiful and evoked so many feelings and experiences :')

So beautiful

[paigematisse]

This. Song.

[ballerbscott2]

It's when a piece gives you goosebumps throughout the entire song is when you know you created something truly artistic and beautiful.

[browncello]

TAVENER!!!!

[mozellagi]

EXQUISITE.. best version out there

[akowns]

3:38 - 3:40... The tenors are absolutely beautiful. Chills every single time....

[pursuitofbliss]

As a singer myself, I am fascinated by how all of the "S's" and "P's" in the word "Sleep" were in perfect UNISON!!!!

[makmegs]

the song is such an amazing piece to play whether singing or in an orchestra. So much emotion in it, bravo!

[2ndintelligentWorld]

If i were to experience tis in real life i would have slept my eyes out

[JetsToReason]

Oh my god i know that accompanist...

[BrawlToOwn]

what a terrible song for your cell phone to ring during

[Octopop2010]

the piano player is having a moment at the beginning

[newmanem]

2:38 to the end makes my heart melt

[Squishfie]

what an amazing ending

[Raavein]

it's amazing how many people there are, yet they're so quite... <3 Talented they are.

[Raavein]

@Raavein quiet*

[CarterSM100]

this definately gives me the chills, Superb, i sang this with Inverclyde Schools Senior Choir !!

[SaraLN2010]

If this doesn't give you chills, idk what will!

[oldschooldrumcorps]

Sleeep actually [uts me to sleep

[mariachidegeorge]

geollanes@yahoo.com

[mariachidegeorge]

georgellanes@yahoo.com

[jswizzletdrizzle]

My school's Varsity Singers sang this at State and got the highest rating. No wonder, how could you not with this amazing piece. Eric Whitacre is a modern musical genius!! The way he conducts the choir, the way he makes them decrescendo into NOTHING at the end. The tight harmonies and haunting melody.... i just can't get over it.

[JittanyBronas1]

The pianist looks like she wants to cry. So do I.

[earrelevantmusic]

where's the "love" button?

[crazy4harrypotter7]

Amazing! Our highest honors choir did this song and it sounded amazing but this is astounding. And as for the coughing it's Minnesota people! I live there and it freezing 10 of the 12 months!

[originalares]

Words can't describe this.

[VanSensei]

People: ease up on the coughing guy. It was March in Minnesota, for Christ's sakes. It's still cold.

[OrganMaster310]

Learning this in the choir I am in. Just soo beautiful. Brings me to tears.

[TheCieraNM]

This is what heaven sounds like. If i were to experience this in real life i would have cried my eyes out.

[ndoro08]

@TheCieraNM I saw this in real person! A girl that was a alto 2 with me in high school got to sing in this... goosebumps. It was AMAZING!! Eric Whitacre is pretty much amazing. :)

[MHMedina77]

buenisimo!!!!

[juicycoutureee]

Damn,this brought me to tears. It's just so beautiful.

[TheYoungphotographer]

The 8 people that disliked this obviously don't know what music is.

[warscary]

We have to play this piece in marching band. Who says it's possible? My director. Who says it's impossible? Me.

[TallBunnie]

... I fell asleep

[arethafrancys]

BELLISSIMO!!!! Ma quanti coristi sono?

Da brivido!!!!

[arethafrancys]

BELLISSIMO!!!! Ma quanti coristi sono?

[wst]

damn i was in the st. olaf highschool honor choir once. too bad it wasnt this one :x

[Orinthophobia13]

I don't know why I was crying while listening to this. So beautiful what human voices can create.

[msofjobee57]

Chills.

[handuyourass]

This is incredible! Such ashame that some folk cant hold in a cough for a few minutes though, really inconsiderate.

[aetenor0708]

I have always loved this song, but to actually watch Eric Whitacre direct it adding his finesse as the composer is breathtaking! Definite tear-jerker.

[ThaniAcapella]

I can't tell the difference between dissenance and release anymore... I just hear beauty...

[funnyjunk345]

Press 6 when watching this video......best part by far.

[Ethanbron]

Cool

[XanderMatt]

3:35. Climax. Absolutely stunning. 

[akowns]

@XanderMatt i would agree that this is the climax of the song, but the moment at 3:37 blows me away. When the tenors have their powerful movement... instant chills.

[Ease555]

8 people fell asleep and accidently pressed the dislike button

[iGookin]

Astounding. This choir couldn't have been in a better place - this Orchestra Hall is just perfect for this sound.

[schonkable]

Absolutely breathtaking!

[TheUntranslatable]

My favourite piece is 'Cloudburst' but, anyway, we did 'Sleep' with my choir and the feeling to actually be there and to be able to perform it was amazing.

[gskunk1]

this song is the closest thing i can imagine what its like to die peacefully in your sleep at an old age. thumbs if agreed

[CharlieBladeRemus]

Eric Whitacre might be coming to my school! I can't wait to sing what he has in store!!!!

[anthonysneed]

i wish i could have sang in this choir.. but i see no black people anyways lmao

[hebrewhammershabbat]

@anthonysneed That's just because its mostly Minnesota groups, and Im pretty sure there's something like 2 black people in Minnesota.

[WOWjessSings]

WOW!! so cool to have Eric Whitacre conducting. so lucky. this is my favorite song its so beautiful and haunting. excelent job

[kizkiz2210]

That's it, shoot whoever coughed at 4:53 in the head.

That was truly beautiful.

[jewhitacre]

I wish I could have been in that choir... They are lucky.

[maiwork6666666]

I love how when I say I don't like Eric Whitacre people say I don't get music. You listen to it, what's to get?

[cheamverdi]

I find this piece really bland in the worst sense. The rhythm is boring and 4 square and the harmonies are manipulative with their slight dissonances, to appeal to the 'chil out' and 'oh classical can be so beautiful'. It sounds like an advanced form of muzak in a beauty salon. I am a trained composer by the way. I'm no fan of serial music ,and like tonal music, but I do find this very manipulative.

[BloodRedWidow]

@cheamverdi Can I ask wy you think this? manipulative how? =]

[F0reseer]

@cheamverdi What's not manipulative then? Allegri? I agree it's no mindboggling masterpiece in theory. But it's very very nice music.

[anonymousowa1]

@cheamverdi What should this piece be then? Who are you to define what is "correct" music? Thank you for your opinion, but never criticize another composer's thoughts, for they are their own, and not yours. The moment when mankind tries to create a definitive model for music to follow is the day music dies. The piece is what it is, don't dare to claim to be able to define what its purpose or quality for all the world. Once again, thank you for your opinion, which is by no means is "correct".

[hop208]

I've can't stop watching this, I looked into the other songs from this performance and I can't help but notice that the same people keep coughing in every sing song! Seriously, just leave!

[tortepasti]

its amazing how they melt down to one strong voice. 1:00 is the best part for me.

[jck1794]

@tortepasti better than the climax at 3:30? O_O

[hop208]

SO GOOD!!!

[randomisnotgood]

omfg those are HIGH SCHOOL KIDS!?

[hebrewhammershabbat]

@randomisnotgood Its a combination of a professional, college, and high school choir.

[jakekelleybenfrank]

@_@ gah! ghjdfklkgjhdl;ghjriohgndlghndl­aghj How can 8 people dislike this?!?!?! >:(

[nathancham2011]

My high school choir just performed this song at our last concert of the year. In my personal opinion, and the same can be said for the whole audience frankly, we did outstanding. I am the only bass, so I had to switch between bass 1 and 2 in and out, and we also only have one tenor, so he had to do the same. Nonetheless, I believe we did great.

[xxPencilOnPaperxx]

@nathancham2011 How many people total were in your choir? It seems very unusual to only have one bass and tenor, even with the annoying stigma that 'singing isn't manly'! I would love to hear your performance! Was it recorded? :D

[nathancham2011]

@xxPencilOnPaperxx Well, during our concert we had 13 total, but today was out senior's last day at school, which weeded us down to 10. Hopefully we'll have a bigger group next semester. We have a really fantastic band and choir director, so we'd definitely have more potential with a bigger group. Unfortunately, it wasn't recorded.

[xxPencilOnPaperxx]

@nathancham2011 Ah! Thirteen people! That's very daring to perform a piece of such magnitude (volume-wise) with so few people! Well, I hope you do get more people to join your choir; they will be very happy they did if your director is conducting pieces of this caliber :)

[JoshFazzz]

I always want to punch people that cough in choir concerts!!

[Keytaster]

@JoshFazzz I think so too... I'd rather die, literally suffocating to death, than disturbing this performance with coughing!

[maddeegirl1]

my chorus and band teachers showed me this and i havent stopped watching it sinse... this is a beautiful song... i wish our chorus and band could do this.... eric whitacre is amazing!

[TheViola3]

perfect music for a war movie after a battle

[xthejordx]

@TheViola3 I've never thought about it being used that way. Maybe we'll see it used in a movie some day.

[TheFormationProject]

This song makes me cry...... and im a teenage guy.

[951murr]

This song is painfully beautiful, as are many of eric whitacre's composition.

It's so beautiful, it makes you choke.

[gibson2085]

8 people are insomniacs

[DoctorSteinsbrow]

F*cking amazing



[muddysneakers]

BRAVO!!!

[TheVoicesAreTalking]

my high school will be singing this and we'll also be accompanied by the school band, it's gunna sound amazing!

[DoctorSteinsbrow]

@TheVoicesAreTalking

confirming

that will sound amazing

[tenor4life13]

omg at 3:33 you can hear the most beautiful overtone

[xXforgivemefatherXx]

3:03- 3:47....

..So beautiful i could cry.

[footballismylife217]

i just love the sound of this song. it sounds so powerful

[levi99levi]

3:30-3:55.. that's all i have to say.

[valantinuvar]

he looks like Aaron Eckhart :p

[GuardianOfFate12]

@valantinuvar I would say more like Cary Elwes.

[LegoPi3]

I love this piece sosososo much :) My marching band played it in our show last year and I didn't think it could get any better :)

[domisosoup]

Those poor 8 insomniacs...



[billyjoedelfigalo]

8 peopledloved it so much that they missed the like button!

[gutenacht93]

didnt know sawyer knew music... lol whattabeast

[videogamerules645]

I like this choir a lot. I'm in awe right now.

[imXaXteapot2112]

Now that's how how you decrescendo into nothing.

[BellaBOMBSHELLx0x0]

Heaven's Gates Open to this masterpiece. ...i feel happiness...so much happiness i may even shed a tear...why? These people are angels.

[tagakumpas]

i love hearing those basses roll... I sing bass II.. i love how i feels to envelope the entire choir as you sing those low notes...amazing musician... wish i could meet him one day

[tagakumpas]

@poppinfresh666 i agree LOL

[savvybeliever]

Eric Whitacre reminds me of Josh Holloway from LOST.

[avdosha]

@savvybeliever he is hot :)

[numuzikal]

@savvybeliever ....hahaha...thought the same thing!

[AngelJustAbout]

Stunning. Simply Stunning!! 5:45 minutes of heavenly voices! What a treat!

[scoopztb]

This is awesome. The smile he makes after conducting is awesome to. He loves what he does.

[itrugater]

how can you dislike a wonderful creation like this this is the ish!!

[jajabinks92]

DO NOT COUGH!!! DO NOT SNEEZE!!! >:( D:<

[ohsnapep]

This is such a beautiful song!

[tinabirdshafer]

so beautiful to hear this kind of music in this time...there is grace in music

thank you to this composer.

T shafer

[kashyn]

I just can't stop listening... And great technique, as well. My heart flies high for the second day. I'd love to be part of it. God, make this happen!

[bren6977]

May cancer swiftly find those who disliked this video.

[ozzie678]

Where are all the other great conductors/composers?

[Ishna2010]

/watch?v=TlWzDqxKmDc Troy's choir singing it

[sousabone95]

So im extremely new to youtube. But I stumbled upon this video and my extremely good friend has just died from leukemia, and music was and still is a large part in his life while is up in heaven. This piece reminds me of all the happy times and journeys me and him have had and still will have. Thank you for listening to my prayers.

[ReinoChap]

I'm not one to diss on dislikers... but honestly. If you disliked this video, you have mental problems. Or hearing problems. Or possibly both.

[Kavir1618]

AH 3:00 onward.

[PeaceLoveHendrix]

the high school choir i'm in just preformed this song yesterday. while learning the piece, we had a difficult time with tuning so our choir director had us sing it in a room with absolutely no lights on. that definitely helped. it turned out great

[kmbrco]

@PeaceLoveHendrix great technique!

[rocketpeat09]

1. i love this song

2. as i listened to this song for the 100th time my speakers just stopped working... Eric you are the only person that can creat a beutiful song that blows my speakers out!!

[XxSenithxX]

7 people don't have hearts, or souls

[funkydancer1]

wow..

[911CondieOnTheLoose]

2:27

I found him! I found the black guy! He's the one behind the blond kid.

[ericbelify]

he is a charlatan. All these harmonies are available to us all who care to learn them. Pick up a book.

[MangoPowuh]

@ericbelify

Just wondering... What's a "Charlatan?"

I"m getting a feeling that, that word, isn't good...

[JudiciumPerIgnis]

@ericbelify

I want to assume I'm misunderstanding you but if by "he" you mean Eric Whitacre and by "charlatan" you mean someone that pretends to be better than they are then you can pretty much just fuck off.

[helloman1556]

@ericbelify Do you know what a charlatan is first of all? And second, it takes extreme mastery of chord progressions to put the separate chords together which he uses here. Also, the music he writes has a very unique style in that it looks like and might sound like dissonance yet it mixes into a harmony when its sung.

[smileexkiddd]

7 dislikes.. what the fuck were they thinking!

[SpedunkTV]

I'd hit that.

[iluvlost09]

@SpedunkTV Bwahaha! I love how everyone is talking about how hot he is.

But yeah, this song is pretty amazing.

[white0typhoon]

This song is just so amazing. The dissonance (don't think I spelled that right) is unnerving, yet soothing at the same time, just absolutely beautiful!

[pngebhardt]

Oh, and THAT SMILE! My Lord!

[pngebhardt]

@iHondeux Try listening to  "Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine". Tell me that's boring.

[ubernathe]

I always get goosebumps no matter how many times i hear this. especially at 3:35

I know this might sound morbid but if i was to have a song playing during my final minutes of life, it would be this. no words spoken with just my family around me.

[LorinTone]

Let's face it folks. Never mind his looks, Mr. Whitacre is the real deal.

And his swollen (choir) membership is about to treat us with new gifts.

A loud and hearty cheer for all the vocalists who did this bit, and all the rest who are on his current project.

[h8aification]

the applause that performance scared the CRAP outta me :I but it's all good now i've just got to come and realize that this EricWhitacre guy is no joke ..and just think it took me this long (the entire duration of the piece) to figure this out :P wowzerz x_x

[h8aification]

i thnk i'll just stick with Eric Whitacre amd i'll stay a virgin ALOT longer!

[Mswordx23]

Now THAT'S a decrescendo.

[LorinTone]

@Mswordx23

Yeah, and a dang good job at directing it.