Literal talent, virtual medium
Kansas City musician once again brings talents to global stage
Reno, NV (June 9, 2014) -- At the age of 22, Kansas native and current Kansas City resident Scott Haines produced his first virtual choir — an ensemble of singers from around the world contributing their voices through computer technology and compiled into a single choir.
“It was quite coincidental, actually,” Haines said of the effort’s beginning. “I had come up with the idea of an online choir, and almost at the exact same time, Eric Whitacre started talking about it on Facebook. Within moments of his first posting about it, I posted and said, ‘I want to produce it.’ That’s how I got my start.”
He produced Eric Whitacre’s first virtual choir, “Sleep,” in 2009. This is often called the beta choir, and was soon followed by “Lux Aurumque” — featuring 243 tracks and 185 voices from 12 countries — in 2010. The piece has since garnered almost 4.5 million views on YouTube and established Whitacre as the father of the concept of a virtual choir.
And now, five years later, Haines is taking his efforts to a whole new frontier: two virtual choirs of Carmelites from around the world, who are singing in commemoration of the fifth centenary celebration of the birth of Saint Teresa of Avila — founder of the Discalced Carmelite Order, Roman Catholic saint and first woman Doctor of the Church.
The world premiere of the two virtual choirs will happen at a public celebration of Saint Teresa in San José, Calif, Aug. 21 through 23. “The Creative Spiritual Genius of St. Teresa of Avila Today” is presented by the Discalced Carmelite Family of the Western U.S. The virtual choirs will be available at https://www.youtube.com/user/STJ500virtualchoirs, beginning August 24, 2014
Technology meets spirituality
With the assistance of six computers and Adobe After Effects software, Haines will stitch together the Carmelite contributions.
“I like to outdo myself, so I’m working very hard,” Haines said. “My previous project set the bar. I’m one of those people who storyboards as I go. I’m inspired by the music and the voices.”
Work has begun on a documentary produced by KNPB Channel 5 Public Broadcasting, the PBS Member Station in Reno, Nevada. The program, scheduled to air in late 2014, will capture the planning process, the production of the virtual choirs and the San Jose celebration itself, with interviews of key players including Haines, Sister Claire Sokol, Father Gerald Werner and other participants. KNPB plans to offer the program for national distribution.
Haines’ education and professional background include informal experience with video and music. And of course, he loves computers and is no stranger to choirs.
“I’ve been in probably 18 choirs,” he said. “It’s a great experience to sing with others.”
For further information about the San Jose event, please visit www.stj500westernus.com.
“It was quite coincidental, actually,” Haines said of the effort’s beginning. “I had come up with the idea of an online choir, and almost at the exact same time, Eric Whitacre started talking about it on Facebook. Within moments of his first posting about it, I posted and said, ‘I want to produce it.’ That’s how I got my start.”
He produced Eric Whitacre’s first virtual choir, “Sleep,” in 2009. This is often called the beta choir, and was soon followed by “Lux Aurumque” — featuring 243 tracks and 185 voices from 12 countries — in 2010. The piece has since garnered almost 4.5 million views on YouTube and established Whitacre as the father of the concept of a virtual choir.
And now, five years later, Haines is taking his efforts to a whole new frontier: two virtual choirs of Carmelites from around the world, who are singing in commemoration of the fifth centenary celebration of the birth of Saint Teresa of Avila — founder of the Discalced Carmelite Order, Roman Catholic saint and first woman Doctor of the Church.
The world premiere of the two virtual choirs will happen at a public celebration of Saint Teresa in San José, Calif, Aug. 21 through 23. “The Creative Spiritual Genius of St. Teresa of Avila Today” is presented by the Discalced Carmelite Family of the Western U.S. The virtual choirs will be available at https://www.youtube.com/user/STJ500virtualchoirs, beginning August 24, 2014
Technology meets spirituality
With the assistance of six computers and Adobe After Effects software, Haines will stitch together the Carmelite contributions.
“I like to outdo myself, so I’m working very hard,” Haines said. “My previous project set the bar. I’m one of those people who storyboards as I go. I’m inspired by the music and the voices.”
Work has begun on a documentary produced by KNPB Channel 5 Public Broadcasting, the PBS Member Station in Reno, Nevada. The program, scheduled to air in late 2014, will capture the planning process, the production of the virtual choirs and the San Jose celebration itself, with interviews of key players including Haines, Sister Claire Sokol, Father Gerald Werner and other participants. KNPB plans to offer the program for national distribution.
Haines’ education and professional background include informal experience with video and music. And of course, he loves computers and is no stranger to choirs.
“I’ve been in probably 18 choirs,” he said. “It’s a great experience to sing with others.”
For further information about the San Jose event, please visit www.stj500westernus.com.
