Hundreds of Virginia Tech musicians and singers recently gathered to celebrate the planet through music and images.

Dwight Bigler, the university’s director of choirs, conducted the premiere of “Mosaic for Earth,” his own composition, on April 3. The dazzling performance, captured in this video, took place in the Moss Arts Center.

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The performance was highly collaborative, featuring a mosaic of musicians performing against a backdrop of evocative artwork and beautiful nature imagery. Bigler hopes the piece will continue to resonate with audiences and inspire action to protect the planet.

“The ultimate goal of this piece is to connect to the emotions of individuals, engage communities, and remind everyone to be better stewards of our world,” said Bigler. “My hope is this piece will encourage people to act.”

Hosted by the Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts, the choral and orchestral show was performed by members of the Virginia Tech Philharmonic, Virginia Tech Choirs, the Blacksburg Master Chorale, and the Blacksburg Children’s Chorale.


Photo Gallery


Dwight Bigler
Dwight Bigler, Virginia Tech’s director of choirs, both composed and conducted “Mosaic for Earth.” Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Mosaic for Earth
Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Mosaic for Earth
Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Gena Chandler-Smith and other singers
Gena Chandler-Smith (center) is an associate professor of English at Virginia Tech. Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Mosaic for Earth
Photo by Beau Wong
 Jami Rhodes
The concert featured several guest soloists, including mezzo soprano Jami Rhodes. Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Mosaic for Earth
Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Mosaic for Earth
Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Danielle Talamantes
Danielle Talamantes — a Metropolitan Opera soprano and a Virginia Tech alumna (Vocal Performance and Music Education ’98) — was a guest soloist. Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Mosaic for Earth
Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Isaac Hurtado
The concert featured tenor Isaac Hurtado. Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Mosaic for Earth
Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Christopher Holmes
Baritone Christopher Holmes was one of the guest soloists. Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Conductor Dwight Bigler
Dwight Bigler spent years researching texts to aid him in composing “Mosaic for Earth.” Photo by Beau Wong
Mosaic for Earth
Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate
Conductor Dwight Bigler, at bottom center, receives congratulations.
Conductor Dwight Bigler, at bottom center, receives congratulations. Photo by Mark Manring | Arts Laureate