I attended WEMTA (Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association) Conference last week. I met several Wisconsin authors and illustrators. One illustrator/artist I visited with was Anne Horjus, a Dutch artist living in Baraboo, WI. I was drawn to him and the magnificent puppets he brought to display. In visiting with him, I learned about an eye-catching and intricate book/project he illustrated. This book is titled Sleep by Charles Anthony Silvestri. Silvestri wrote the poem for this book upon the request of Composer Eric Whitacre. Originally, Whitacre wrote a choral work using Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping By Woods. " He was not able to secure legal rights to use the Frost poem for publication so he asked his friend Charles Anthony Silvestri to create an original text. From this poem Whitacre composed a spectacular Virtual Choir 2.0 performance of Sleep. In learning more about Whitacre's Virtual Choir, singers from around the world record and upload their videos where the videos are synchronized into a single performance to create a virtual choir.
I am amazed how poetry, music, and art intertwine in this impressive and unforgettable book and performance. If you are interested in this book, there is a copy in each elementary library. Be sure to connect with these artists in the various linked sites in this post.
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