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    Resource For "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre - Stephen Lange

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    The document discusses a resource for analyzing Eric Whitacre's composition 'Sleep' for a music achievement standard. It provides an overview of the resource, explains why 'Sleep' qualifies as a substantial work as required by the standard, and gives instructions for ordering the resource.

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    Resource For "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre - Stephen Lange

    Uploaded by

    P Z
    363 views4 pages
    The document discusses a resource for analyzing Eric Whitacre's composition 'Sleep' for a music achievement standard. It provides an overview of the resource, explains why 'Sleep' qualifies as a substantial work as required by the standard, and gives instructions for ordering the resource.

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    Resource for “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre – Stephen Lange

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    The document discusses a resource for analyzing Eric Whitacre's composition 'Sleep' for a music achievement standard. It provides an overview of the resource, explains why 'Sleep' qualifies as a substantial work as required by the standard, and gives instructions for ordering the resource.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    363 views4 pages

    Resource For "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre - Stephen Lange

    Uploaded by

    P Z
    The document discusses a resource for analyzing Eric Whitacre's composition 'Sleep' for a music achievement standard. It provides an overview of the resource, explains why 'Sleep' qualifies as a substantial work as required by the standard, and gives instructions for ordering the resource.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    The document discusses a resource that analyses Eric Whitacre's piece 'Sleep' for a music assessment standard in New Zealand. It provides context and examples about what makes 'Sleep' a substantial work to analyse.

    The resource is about providing additional material to accompany a study guide about Eric Whitacre's piece 'Sleep'. It aims to help teachers and students analyse 'Sleep' for a New Zealand music assessment standard called AS91422.

    The piece 'Sleep' is widely performed and influential. Eric Whitacre has a unique compositional style using unusual harmonies. 'Sleep' helped popularize choral music and was part of a viral virtual choir project. It has had a revolutionary impact on choral music.

    4/5/2019 AS91422 resource for “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre – Stephen Lange

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    Stephen Lange

    AS91422 resource for “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre


    I have available a new resource to accompany the “Sleep” study guide (https://stephenlange.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/eric-whitacre-sleep-
    study-guide/).

    https://stephenlangemusic.com/music-works-study-guides/eric-whitacre-sleep-study-guide/eric-whitacre-sleep-resources/as91422-resource-for-sleep-by-eric-whitacre/ 1/4
    4/5/2019 AS91422 resource for “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre – Stephen Lange

    Achievement Standard 91422 v2 (internal) – Analyse a substantial music work

    Here is a sample of a few pages from the resource:

    https://stephenlangemusic.com/music-works-study-guides/eric-whitacre-sleep-study-guide/eric-whitacre-sleep-resources/as91422-resource-for-sleep-by-eric-whitacre/ 2/4
    4/5/2019 AS91422 resource for “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre – Stephen Lange

    Sleep 91422 v2 Internal Assessment Task SAMPLE (https://stephenlange.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/sleep-91422-v2-internal-assessment-task-


    sample.pdf)

    Teachers wishing to use this resource will need to be convinced that “Sleep” is  “substantial” as described in the achievement standard:

    1. Substantial indicates that the music work has significance and/or complexity in the chosen style or era. The work is of sufficient substance to
    allow for critical and perceptive analysis.

    What makes “Sleep” significant?

    “Sleep” is a widely influential piece of music. It is one of the most performed works of the most popular and most performed choral composer alive
    today. Whitacre has a unique sound that comes from his use of unresolved suspensions and added note chords. This sound is clearly evident in
    “Sleep”. His approachable “super-tonal” style is helping to popularised choral music today, as seen in the Youtube phenomenon of Virtual Choir.
    “Sleep” was the test piece and later used for the second virtual choir that went viral as choristers from all over the globe joined together in a new
    form of music-making. Virtual choir challenges our notion of “what is a choir” and pushes boundaries of conventional thinking. One could say that
    “Sleep” has helped revolutionise choral music today.

    “Sleep” is an unusual and amazing example of the interplay between words and music. The back-story explores an intricate dance involving the
    composer, lyricist and copyright lawyers… The way the artists resolve the musical and lyrical problems is a triumph and a really interesting way to
    have students explore the roles each person plays in the composition of a new piece of music. Certainly the lyricist here played a more significant
    role than usual.

    What evidence is there that “Sleep” is complex?

    The complex harmonic language of “Sleep” and other works by Whitacre have been the subject of doctoral dissertations and analyses. “Sleep” is not
    straightforward to analyse as can be seen when working through the study guide. The dense chords and modern ideas of tonality encourage
    students to dig deep for musical meaning.

    As a performer “Sleep” is complex to sing well due to long slow phrases,a  wide range in dynamics and the complex harmonic language used at
    times. The singer’s technique and breath control are really tested.

    The music is very well composed with motifs developed throughout. As an example of how a composer can take simple ideas and make of them a
    complex piece of music, this work shines.

    Not yet convinced? Here are some more ideas:

    Why not add a second of Whitacre’s compositions, such as “Lux Aurumque”, that shares significant stylistic features with “Sleep”.

    https://stephenlangemusic.com/music-works-study-guides/eric-whitacre-sleep-study-guide/eric-whitacre-sleep-resources/as91422-resource-for-sleep-by-eric-whitacre/ 3/4
    4/5/2019 AS91422 resource for “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre – Stephen Lange

    Or, as suggested in this resource, analyse several of the incarnations of “Sleep” which cover traditional choral music, virtual choir, and concert
    band. Comparing and contrasting these versions can lead to a deep understanding of the composers work and style.

    Please use the form below to order the resource (NZ $40). I will send you an email shortly with the resource and an invoice that can be paid via
    Paypal or internet banking.

    Note: prices are in NZ dollars and exclude GST

    https://stephenlangemusic.com/music-works-study-guides/eric-whitacre-sleep-study-guide/eric-whitacre-sleep-resources/as91422-resource-for-sleep-by-eric-whitacre/ 4/4

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