Sing Gently

Editors’ Notes Even when torn apart, we can be together. Eric Whitacre’s “Sing Gently” is his sixth Virtual Choir, written in response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on us all—its focus on empathy, community, and service. In total, 17,572 singers between the ages of 5 and 88, from 129 countries, uploaded videos that were processed and edited into this haunting track. An accompanying video beautifully represents the bonding together of humanity, its final minutes given over to a full roll call of singers. And a string quartet version provides a moment of exquisite calm during which to reflect.