Eric Whitacre

About
is an American Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor. He is one of the most popular and performed composers of his generation.

Hosted AMAs


Highest Rated Comments


ericwhitacre572 karma

a) That made me laugh, and b) love that username.

ericwhitacre529 karma

Ha! I have the distinct advantage of living in the era of photoshop.

ericwhitacre511 karma

Silly, isn't it? I think it is because when they teach basic harmony they begin with Bach, who rarely used parallel 5ths. The problem is it becomes a 'rule' in the class, and I am always amazed how few theory teachers say, no parallel 5ths if you want to sound like you are writing in 1750.

ericwhitacre488 karma

I adore trombones - not just the instrument but the whole trombone lifestyle. Would love to write some things for trombone choir.

ericwhitacre350 karma

Oh my god with the hair products.

ericwhitacre342 karma

He's a very close friend. Would be fun to write something with him.

ericwhitacre328 karma

Love it.

ericwhitacre304 karma

It was less about a PR effort and more of a boots-on-the-ground effort. For years I thought of myself like an indie band, traveling to every little town in America, building a fan base one person at a time. I loved meeting all the people and I learned a lot about the business.

It was also great for me because I learned how to conduct every level of ensemble, and I learned to speak comfortably to any size crowd. Those were skills that really came in handy later on.

ericwhitacre293 karma

That's a tough one. Not sure I have a favorite. Each key has a different color to me, a different 'taste' (I don't have synesthesia but I do associate sound very closely with taste, and color). I am often drawn to B flat minor, and to F# major, and D flat major... oh god, I could just go on and on.

ericwhitacre288 karma

THANK YOU.