Eric Whitacre has been announced as the BBC Singers’ artist-in-residence, starting with immediate effect.
The hugely popular US composer and conductor will work with Jonathan Manners, newly appointed director of the UK choral ensemble, to deliver ‘an enriching programme of work for concerts and broadcasts’. He will also play a leading role in the Singers’ 2024-25 centenary celebrations.
‘I am deeply honoured to take up the role of artist-in-residence with this incredible and distinguished musical family,’ said Whitacre. ‘This is not just an opportunity to make music together, but to grow alongside artists who inspire me daily. I hope that we can celebrate the music we love and exploring new ideas and opportunities on the concert platform, in the studio and in music education. I’m excited for the journey ahead.’
Who is Eric Whitacre?
Eric Whitacre is one of today’s most popular and most often performed composers. Hailing from Nevada, US, and a graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, the 54 year-old has made his name primarily as a composer of choral music, often conducting it himself, and has broken records with his online Virtual Choir projects.
Alongside consecutive terms as artist-in-residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, he also currently holds the position of visiting composer at Pembroke College, Cambridge University, and is an ambassador for the Royal College of Music in London.
Who are the BBC Singers?
Britain’s only full-time professional chamber choir, the BBC singers this season celebrate their 100th birthday. The ensemble narrowly escaped disbandment, announced in 2023 as part of the BBC’s new strategy for classical music. A campaign to save the choir resulted in a suspension of that decision earlier this year while the corporation looks at alternative funding models, in consultation with the Musicians’ Union.
This year the BBC Singers have performed a number of sold out concerts at the BBC Proms. These include the First Night, CBeebies Proms, Beethoven’s Ninth with Aurora Orchestra, and their own BBC Singers at 100 concert at Bristol Beacon.
When are the BBC Singers and Eric Whitacre performing together?
Tomorrow, 4th September, the BBC Singers will perform Prom 60: Late Night with Eric Whitacre. The concert will feature the world premiere of Whitacre’s Eternity in an Hour, based on a poem by William Blake.
On 2nd October, the BBC Singers will return to the Barbican Hall with their special Centenary Concert, featuring Eric Whitacre alongside Anna Lapwood and Abel Selaocoe. The group will then perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah at the Cambridge Music Festival in November, before commencing Christmas activities across the BBC.