I can’t even comprehend what it must feel like to be in the room while they are singing. Chills and tears I’d imagine…

I remember when it was still lockdown all around, I couldn’t see my hubby who was living in a different country at that time, I couldn’t go to church, I couldn’t visit my family who was living in another city, nor could I see my friends. Music, that has been a huge part of my life was also been taken away since all choir practices been cancelled. Then I found Eric’s virtual choir on this song. Then all I remembered was I replayed the video for many times and I cried in every time I replayed it. Thank you Eric, your work brings peace, joy, and strength in the hardest time of my life.

Before the pandemic I followed a ‘masterclass’ from Voces8 in The Netherlands. During the pandemic ‘ Sing gently’ came along. It helped to have a goal while everything was dismissed. Even choir rehearsal and my volunteer job at a primary school. By ‘Sing gently’ I felt connected with singers all over the world. It also provide singing lessons and after that I sang in many virtual choirs and projects. Sing gently’ came in production and was touched by the singing and video but also some strange experience that I was one of the singers and audience at the same time. Now by this version of ‘Sing gently’ I am getting emotional about the beautiful sound of ‘Voces8’. Also this was made possible because of the pandemic and how blessed I was and still am that singing helps me trough tough times and difficulties.

This is treasure... The amount of talent in that room is massive.

Ten human beings and a piano. Sublimely beautiful music came forth in the silence. Thank you so very much. ❤

📌 VOCES8 & Eric Whitacre: "Sing Gently" Singalong INDEX 0:01 Eric Whitacre, Voces8 Center 0:54 Welcome viewers, pianist Christopher Glynn 1:14 How's the weather? 1:30 What to expect 2:07 🎬 ¹🎵 🎼 Sing Gently 5:33 (👏 Reveling!) 6:04 Impact & influence of pandemic 7:18 Dynamics: soprano, alto 7:54 🎼 5, soprano, alto: "May we sing together..." 8:10 Dynamics of push, pull 8:50 🎼 5, soprano, alto 9:11 Dynamics: adding bass, tenor 9:22 🎼 13: "May our singing..." 9:49 Dynamics, bass, tenor 10:06 Dynamics: "negative hook" 11:21 🎼 21: "Sing, sing gently..." 11:45 Breath-work 12:15 🎼 29, bass, tenor: "May we stand together..." 13:04 (Reveling!) 13:13 Dynamics, bass, tenor 14:10 Adding altos (ftw!) 14:42 Dynamics: altos 15:02 All parts, add alto 15:10 🎼 29: "May we stand together..." 15:59 (Reveling!) 16:12 Dynamics, push, pull, hook 16:54 🎼 45: "Sing gently..." 17:07 Dynamics: Kintsugi, joining w/ compassion & empathy 18:20 Dynamics, piano: Kintsugi 18:56 🎼 45, all 19:23 Dynamics, alto, tenor 19:54 🎼 53, alto, tenor: "..one, one,.." 20:20 Dynamics, alto, tenor 20:36 Dynamics, bass, soprano 21:10 🎼 53, all 21:58 Commentary, pronouncing "genTly"? 22:53 Example if "genTly"? 23:05 🎼 45, IF pronounced "genTly"?! 23:20 Softening "gently" 23:34 Commentary, equalizing levels? 24:02 🎼 45, IF levels not equalized? 24:16 wow lol 24:29 How: down on high note, up on low 25:22 🎼 45, with techniques 25:37 ("mic drop"? lol) 26:00 Anecdotes 26:39 Commentary, sans vs selective vibrato 27:20 🎼 45, "generous" vibrato? 27:54 (mic "vibin"?, lol) 28:02 Commentary, tentative vibrato? 28:22 🎼 45, phrase-release vibrato? 29:17 Default sans vibrato 29:27 Especially bass harmony sans vibrato 29:49 Sensitivity of mics & recording vibrato 31:02 Emotional & group dynamics vs vibrato 32:32 No dynamic feedback, vs recordings 33:07 Dynamics recap from the top 33:44 🎬 ²🎵 🎼 Sing Gently 37:20 🫠 37:30 👏 37:38 Upcoming Q&A 37:44 Album: Home 38:36 (narration pertinent to live q&a) 39:11 Other happenings at time of recording 42:03 Plans to record Christopher Glynn, Andrea Haynes, et al 44:15 Q&A assembly, "kodak moment" 44:41 Q&A segment 58:50 Closing commentary 1:00:15 Fade to album: Home 1:00:35⌛️ .

I think that if the angels can sing at least half as beautifully as this group, then heaven is truly a place to look forward to!

What a feast, what an honor to be a fly on the wall in the rehearsal. Completely gorgeous and fascinating. I love seeing Eric so emotionally moved by the whole thing. He is a conduit of holy music and so is VOCES8.

even the talking is music to me! absolutely fantastic ear candy - all these 'comparisons', explanations'.... and then execution on the highest level. Chills and a very happy heart and soul.

I suggest "Crucifixus" from Antonio Lotti

I’m so inspired by the attention to detail and artistic choices by Mr. Eric Whitacre and VOCES8. Love, love, love this!

I was so excited to be part of VC6, and it was amazing to be part of that! I wasn't able to be part of the live broadcast of this, but even watching it now and singing along just as has left me so emotional. This brought back so much love for music that I had withdrawn from because of the pandemic. Love love love this!

May we sing together, always May our voice be soft May our singing be music for others And may it keep others aloft Sing, sing gently, always Sing, sing as one (as one) May we stand (may we stand) together, always May our voice be strong May we hear the singing and May we always sing along (along) Sing, sing gently, always Sing, sing as one (as one) Singing gently as one

I very much enjoyed the performances and appreciated Eric Whitacre's story of how the piece was created with VOCES8 demonstrating his thoughts. Likewise, I loved hearing from VOCES8 about the nuances of singing it, and how it is different in the studio and in a live performance. It is details like this that enrich the listening experience for me. And I grateful to all of you!

Almost heaven on earth with the heavenly hosts

Doing Sing Gently during the pandemic was such a deep and moving experience for me, as was meeting Voces8 almost exactly a year ago. Thank you. 🙏

This is such a great session for choral composers too. Fantastic job Voces 8 and Maestro Whitacre!

The voices send shivers down my spine, and tears in my eyes listening to this beautiful song.

i cannot put in words all the emotion I feel watching this !! It is like a Divine Trip following the steps walked by the composer. He invites us all to follow his path!! Thanks for having us to sing along with you. I watching you all from São Paulo - Brazil....

SUCH an absolutely delightful hour of my time was spent watching these humble professionals with immense God-given gifting and talent. At times I was in my own church choir rehearsal. At times I was in a concert. So intimate and personal, so enlightening. Many thanks to Eric, Chris, and VOCES8 for this amazing experience.

Eric Whitaker + Voces8 = a magnificently magical combination. Truly sublime! 💛🌼

I can't tell you how uplifting and beautiful it was for me to sing along with you last night… Just finding my voice rising up, After some self conscious starts, almost effortlessly, rising in tones and shaping sounds without even words, just so inspired by the beauty and richness of the other voices… Thank you so much! I will do this again and again!

Laughing and happy tears at the same time. Chills is an understatement.

Quel merveilleux moment de partage de création et de musique pure et sublime, juste un piano subtil, un chef d'exception et huit voix extraordinaires. Merci de tout coeur.

It is like being in a rehearsal with all of you. THank you for sharing this.

Oh oh OH how lovely is this!!!

it is wonderful - a piece and performance; pure beauty, thank you all of you

Bedankt om dit met ons te delen. Hoeveel kunnen zangers en dirigenten daar niet van leren! Dank U!

What a wonderful video! Hearing Eric reveal the creative process with Voces8 adds to the enjoyment! Thank you Eric, Voces8 and Christopher.

This is so beautiful!🥹 I don’t know whether laugh or cry! Thank you for this gift!!!

This is pure gold. Thank you Eric Whitacre and Voces8 for making us part of this experience. This holds more value than you can imagine.

A masterclass with a master choir!

Thank you so much for every single second of this. It was an absolute feast for my soul, plus just totally delightful and fun. I love it when Eric bursts into laughter as a response to the overwhelming beauty of your singing: the laughter just came pouring out of him, and actually felt like the perfect response. Yes! I've been enjoying this over the space of several days, and I'm sure it won't be the last time : ) Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Music is a gift from above and it keeps me alive😎

Loved this ...thank you ...from south Africa

Love, love, love❤️

What a beautiful good- feeling encounter. You filled my soul with "Gently" sounds. You were temporary Voces9!! for me. Eric definitely part of it. What a Trust, what a genuine Perfect Pitch-Commitment amidst gentle glueing Key-raindrops. I LOVED IT. From Samaipata withLove, Pieter & Marga.

So beautiful! Thankyou!

thank you for the alto love, Eric!

Quel plaisir de réentendre Sing Gently, ça me rappelle le dernier Vritual Choir auquel j'ai eu le bonheur de participer pendant la Pandémie

Que hermoso video, fue super interesante ver desde la perspectiva del compositor y la perspectiva de los cantantes sobre las decisiones musicales en cada frase. Mucho trabajo en el detalle, excelente 🌟❤️.

Thank you so much, Eric and Voces 8, for sharing such beautiful music! God bless you all.

Thanks so much for the massive work from the bottom of my heart

It always stuns me to see an artist so enamoured with his own work. V8 - amazing, as always. Thank you.

Besides the exquisite music and singing (!) it is also a joy to learn about the process of composing the piece, where one can or needs to pay attention to when singing, how you all feel about the piece, ... Very interesting!

Thank you. The whole world is beautiful for a few notes.

Sheer perfection, and it doesn't happen by accident. Thanks for pulling back the curtain on some of the process!

so many amazing gifts in this! soul filling music and fascinating process and gorgeous talents ... gratitude to you all for the gold glue

Bravo 👏🏼. Beautiful voices Greetings from Costa Rica 🇨🇷 I Love your work

Not only is this piece gorgeous, this video provides some much-appreciated insights into the intentions of the composer. Most people can be trained to read music. It's taking it to the next level when you can color and shape what you're reading:). One of my choral groups (the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus) is having a virtual practice with Eric Whitacre tonight less than three hours from my hitting the "send" button, and this video (like the music) has made for fantastic preparation. It's an absolute joy to be a part of and work with compositions such as this:).

I love Voces8 since I first heard You, but now I know a little better, why! Thank You so much!

Sang this with Eric online last month! It's gorgeous ❤❤

Thank you so much. I feel satisfied and the reason is this: it was an experience of the combination of mind and heart. That's what makes it beautiful. That's what makes it satisfying. That, for me, is what art is for.

This song is so beautiful!!! I love it! Hearing it now brings back so many memories!

Beautiful! Beautiful! Very beautiful!!!

Usually I have only a few minute attention span. I watched and loved the entire video. Thank you!

Serious chills all the way here in the states!! Brava and bravo🎉🎉

Lovely interview and singing by Voces 8! Thanks for sharing!

Пожалуйста, выложите короткое видео с произведением и выложите альбом на площадки Apple Music и другие. Мир должен это слышать!!

Amazing piece, so glad I was the part of it during hard times that are behind us. Thank you :)

Maravilloso!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

What a joy this was to watch!

Beautiful ❤

Thank you 🙏

It was nice to see and to hear. I enjoyed it. Thank you 😊

Maravilloso ! Gracias !

Love it

What a deep, Sound voice he has…. Sounds like s singer 😊

I'm not kidding when I say that this kind of thing, to me, is like food. It's my spiritual food.

You have broken my heart. Again.

Дуже приємно дивитись як люди роблять красу! Чудове, інформативне, диригування, прекрасний спів! Також пришов до висновку, що виконуючи музику. та й не тільки, необхідно усвідомлювати принцп "пуш"-"пулл", я колись назвав це "зусилля-інерція", .Надзвичайно корисно побувати в середовищі талановитих колег-однодумців.!😇❤🙏☮☦

Maravilloso.!! 🎉

When people are forbidden to sing, they are forbidden the freedom to build a better, higher, more just world.

Bravo!!

I need a full version without comments as well

Thid guy understands harmony

3:36 Sublime!!

I would pay all my savings to see you live, be in the same room as Andrea.. my dream Please consider coming in France..

Thank you for not doing unnecessary vibratos. :)

Joyful

Hi, I think Eric's explaining the song is very valuable. I click CC then, I get the english subtitles. then I choose auto-translate, then I choose Dutch. Then I see ''English (auto-generated) >> Dutch'' Then I see this text in the movie on the left upper side with the addition Click* for settings'' After that short message, the subtitles disappear completely ! What am I doing wrong ? I watch this KZfaq video on a desktop PC

❤

Sounds like one of the altos isn't feeling all too well, with several of the unison SA entries having a little something going on as they begin together. Maybe it's just me. Sorry.

❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👏

❤❤❤🙏PL

(I interpret his facial expression that he has come to Musical Heaven.)

Yeah, the comment below mine -- Ditto.

To bad the piano is not tuned.Thank God Voces8 carried the pitch.

LOL most of you aren't dressed as if it's boiling 😅

Eric Whitacre = the most OVERRATED musician in the history of time. WHYYYYYYYYY??????????

I enjoyed the lessons from all of you. Thank you

❤