Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir smashes fundraising target

1 February 2013, 16:08

The choral conductor-composer has smashed the fundraising target for his Virtual Choir 4 project, raising $122,555 by yesterday's deadline.

Choral singers across the world have donated money to Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 4 campaign, successfully smashing the original target of $100,000. 1,938 people donated money towards the Virtual Choir campaign, raising $122,555 in total to pay for the technicians, audio team, and people who will be working behind the scenes to make the project a reality.

Eric described the support as 'breathtaking', posting a thank you message on his website: "Your support is beyond my wildest dreams and we simply couldn’t make VC4 happen without your extraordinary generosity. A huge shout out to everyone who spread the word to reach new members and welcome them to our Virtual Choir community."

Bill Leigh provided a $10,000 donation to the project, receiving in return Eric Whitacre's conducting baton, and featuring on the finished version of the VC4 film. The final video of VC4, Bliss, will be presented at the Coronation Concerts at Buckingham Palace in June 2013.