If you’re looking for a piece that captivates audiences and challenges your singers in the most rewarding ways, Eric Whitacre’s Sleep is a must-consider for your next choral concert. Since its premiere, Sleep has become one of the most performed and beloved works of contemporary choral literature—and for good reason. Here are three compelling reasons to add this atmospheric gem to your program.
1. It Teaches Ensemble Sensitivity and Control
Whitacre’s music demands a high level of musical awareness, and Sleep is no exception. With its lush harmonies, slow tempo, and shimmering dissonances, the piece challenges choirs to listen deeply, breathe together, and sustain beautiful tone throughout long phrases. It’s a fantastic tool for developing dynamic contrast, vowel matching, and blend—skills that benefit your ensemble far beyond this one piece.
2. It Creates a Powerful Emotional Moment in Your Program
Sleep is a showstopper, not through flashiness, but through emotional resonance. The haunting text by Charles Anthony Silvestri and the meditative, dream-like harmonic language make this a moment of stillness and introspection in any concert. It works beautifully as a centerpiece, a closing work, or a reflective contrast to faster, brighter selections.
Audience members often describe Sleep as “transcendent”—and it’s true. The piece leaves a lasting impression and offers both performers and listeners a shared moment of calm and beauty.
3. It Connects Singers to Iconic Contemporary Repertoire
Programming Sleep gives your singers the opportunity to engage with a living composer who has significantly shaped modern choral music. Whitacre’s works are widely sung in schools, universities, and professional choirs across the world. By learning and performing Sleep, students become part of that broader choral conversation—and they usually love the experience.
The piece also opens the door to discussions on text setting, tonal clusters, and the evolution of choral music in the 21st century. It’s a great way to deepen your ensemble’s appreciation of contemporary artistry.
Final Thoughts:
Eric Whitacre’s Sleep is more than just a piece—it’s an experience. With its emotional depth, artistic demands, and contemporary relevance, it brings something truly special to any concert program. If you haven’t programmed it yet, now’s the time.
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