Nox Aurumque

Light and Gold-Commissioned by the Texas Music Educators Association for their 2005 All-State Band Lux Aurumque is an extraordinarily lush and poignant adaptation of one of Eric Whitacre's most popular choral works. Gorgeous simple triads melt from one beautiful chord to the next creating a slowly evolving wash of colors and light. Elegantly orchestrated by the composer Lux Aurumque is a profoundly moving experience for players and audiences alike. (Grade 4) (5:30)

“Sleep My Child” comes from Eric Whitacre's work for musical theater Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings. Originally written for two sopranos and mezzo (portrayed as three angels) it was adapted for band in 2012by Jeffrey Gershman at the request of the composer and is the latest title in a growing catalog of Whitacre's compositions (October Sleep Lux Aurumque and The Seal Lullaby) that illustrate his sincere commitment tocreating lush beautiful music for winds.

Lux Nova sees Eric Whitacre's best-selling 'Lux Aurumque' re-imagined with a middle section of new material from his musical 'Paradise Lost'. Lux Nova works best with a pure balanced shimmering tone with strict attention to the dynamic colors and a slow luscious pacing. This piece for unaccompanied SATB Choir incorporates poetry by Edward Esch translated into Latin by celebrated American lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri. Eric Whitacre's Lux Nova was featured in the 2014 iTunes festival. Duration: approx. 4:20.

Noël 2 is an exciting collection of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany music for mixed voice choirs, which follows on from the highly acclaimed Noël! Volume 1 (Catalogue No. NOV310800). The contents range from the Renaissance to the present: from Byrd and Sweelinck, via Bach, familiar settings of traditional and lesser known carols through the ages to Howells and Leighton, and work by today's composers including Richard Rodney Bennett, Eric Whitacre, John Tavener Tarik O'Regan and Richard Allain. Mixed voice choirs of all levels will find here new arrangements of favourite carols as well as stimulating works for the Christmas season, from the easy to learn to the more challenging and unconventional. Selected and edited by David Hill, Choral Advisor to Novello, Chief Conductor of the BBC singers, Musical Director of The Bach Choir, Chief Conductor of The Southern Sinfonia and Music Director of Leeds Philharmonic Society. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate by the University of Southampton in 2002 in recognition of his Services to Music. 'Noël was a welcome addition to the Christmas list for decent standard choirs - Noël 2 adds even more to the repertoire in a handy volume... The main enticements are some fantastic new arrangements of old favourites, a number of works previously only available in single sheets (Whitacre's Lux Arumque among others) and some fantastic new surprises. Adrian Peacock's Venite, Gaudete is a wonderfully original and vibrant setting, Richard Rodney Bennet's I Wonder as I Wander is both reflective and effective, and there are plenty more. Some of the pieces here will challenge your choir, but there's a vast amount to get the Christmas inspiration flowing. ' - Jonathan Wikeley, Music Teacher November 2009 '?an outstanding resource for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany ' Andrew Stewart, Choir and amp - Organ November/December 2010 Noel! 2 Interview With David Hill by Musicroom / Choeur SATB Et Orgue (Ou Piano)