the real deal

I went to see the Concordia College choir yesterday. Concordia College is a small private school in northern Minnesota, with a huge music reputation - I almost went there, just to sing in the choir. They're not big on talent, but make up for it with discipline and artistry. Think one of those little college basketball teams that can comptete with the best, even though they don't have the big power players of a Florida or a North Carolina. The incredible teamwork reminds you of why you got interested in the sport/art form in the first place.

They sang a piece by Eric Whitacre, and I'm getting more and more psyched about his music. This stuff is the real deal - it's truly modern, and truly accessible. His pieces include what some might call gimmicks (rain and wind sounds in a piece called Cloudburst, train whistle-like sounds in Ghost Train, and in the one yesterday, the poem said, "I am out of words to describe this" but the song continued on "ooo"s). I prefer, however, to think of them as "hooks" - sometimes the obvious choice is the most natural and beautiful. However, he still thinks like a classical composer, and to hear such interesting and accessible material formed with such elegant form and glorious restraint is a truly unique and wonderful experience. This one has staying power, folks.
http://www.ericwhitacre.com/main.html