Composer and Conductor Eric Whitacre to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Berklee Valencia’s 2026 Commencement

Berklee Valencia will present an honorary Doctor of Music degree to Grammy Award–winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre at its 2026 commencement ceremony on Monday, July 6.

Whitacre has redefined the choral experience through his groundbreaking compositions and innovative Virtual Choir projects, which have brought together more than 100,000 singers from over 145 countries. In addition to collaborating with world-renowned orchestras, artists, and institutions, Whitacre continues to push artistic boundaries through large-scale multimedia works that blend acoustic performance, technology, and live electronics.

Whitacre will be recognized for his work as an innovative and trailblazing artist as well as his acclaimed work as a composer and conductor. "Eric Whitacre has redefined the boundaries of 21st-century vocal music through his pioneering Virtual Choirs, which have united voices from every corner of the globe," said Simone Pilon, executive director at Berklee Valencia.

In the last five years, the Valencia campus has awarded honorary doctorates to Gilberto Gil, Alberto Iglesias, Yvette Noel-Schure, Youssou N’Dour, and Patrick Doyle.

Whitacre will address the graduating class of 2026 during the commencement ceremony on July 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Espai Rambleta in Valencia. Whitacre will be joined at commencement by Berklee Valencia’s inaugural distinguished alumni speaker Carla Patullo BM ’01, MM ’13.

About Eric Whitacre

Grammy Award–winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre is one of today’s most celebrated contemporary classical musicians. Known for blending lush choral textures with innovative technology, Whitacre’s work has redefined the modern choral experience for audiences around the world.

A graduate of the Juilliard School, Whitacre has built an expansive career spanning concert music, technology, education, and public speaking. In addition to his extensive output for choir and vocal ensemble, Whitacre’s orchestral works have been performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and more. He has also served as artist in residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and a visiting composer at Pembroke College.

Whitacre’s recent large-scale works continue to push artistic and technological boundaries. Eternity in an Hour, which premiered at the Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms in 2024, marked the first time he simultaneously conducted and performed live electronics onstage. In 2025, The Pacific Has No Memory, commissioned by violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, premiered at Carnegie Hall with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. His acclaimed composition Deep Field, inspired by the achievements of the Hubble Space Telescope, premiered at the Kennedy Space Center, becoming the foundation for a pioneering collaboration with NASA.

Beyond the concert stage, Whitacre has collaborated with artists and composers including Hans Zimmer, Imogen Heap, Laura Mvula, and Annie Lennox. His long-standing relationship with Decca Classics has produced multiple chart-topping albums, including Light & Gold, his Grammy Award–winning debut as composer and conductor; Water Night, debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes and Billboard classical charts; and Home, recorded with the a cappella octet VOCES8.

A sought-after speaker and educator, Whitacre has delivered keynote presentations for organizations including the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, Apple, and Google, among many others. His contributions to music and innovation have earned numerous honors, including the Richard D. Colburn Award from the Colburn School and an honorary doctorate from Chapman University.