haha i remember the awkward silence at the end of our performance too, we all stood there for literally 10-15 seconds before some brave audience member figured out it was over and started clapping haha
i love this song. definitely my favorite he composed. we sang this in my high school mixed choir and he is coming to my school next year and planning to preform this song again :)
Just so others are aware, the baritone solo at the end of the piece was sung by Aezra DuttonHurt, who passed away Friday morning, May 1, 2009. May he rest in peace, and his incredible talent live on in our hearts
hey could you remove the video response of my choir video? i meant to reply with only the band one, sorry. yeah our choir's version is nothing at all compared to yours haha so just take that one off and leave the band one. thanksss
I was priviledged to hear the Brigham Young University Singers do this piece this weekend. The way the text works with the composing is so magnificently elegant. Very well sung here as well!
my choir is doing water night right now, and we have done at least one eric whitacre song every year our school has been open and hopefully we will do this my senior year it is honestly fantastic!
Large groups are hard to sing in. This group is amazing none the less. And with Whitacre! I've only been able to communicate with him through email - the choir director I knew from UIUC (Dr. Chester Alwes) has actually met him, the lucky dog - he takes his dynamic markings very seriously. And he's an amazing person; when you see pictures of his eyes while he's conducting, they're so wide open and full of knowledge that I can only dream to possibly attain.
i was able to meet anthony sylvestry they guy who wrote the words for this piece and he told me that when the altos do their 16th notes in about the early 4 minute mark that was taken from the matrix for this song
Well I would hope you have it on you ipod if you like the song....
I have alomst all of his pieces on my ipod, and the recordings my high school did of Leonardo, Sleep, Lux Aurumque, This Marriage, and A Boy and A Girl.
Ahhhh!!!! I see dots on my arms! Dots of goosebumps I shall say. Very well done choirs. I heard this song performed by the Mt. Eden Choir and I was astonished. This here I am stunned. Goosebumps all the way. Terrific job choir for this amazing performance. I hope I will get to perform this song too when I enter high school in a couple of months. I have the sheet music and it is difficult!
I can't even begin to say how good this is for a high school choir. You alway's hear people on here say that their choir is soooo amazing and then you listen to the video and it's crap. LOL This, however, is pure bliss. I will say that I thought I heard the best high school group ever in 04' when I graduated. They are actually the Glendale High School Chamber Choir (I will post videos soon) from Springfield, MO, but after hearing this group I think I will leave my mind open. Thanks.
This is AMAZING. We are singing this right now and it has to be one of my FAVORITE pieces right now. This performance is FANTASTIC...Whitacre seems like he is a pretty chill man...How was it singing under him.
you know if this was the Manhattan HighSchool Chamber choir it would have been perfect! jk, you guys actually did an amazing job...KU choir, not so much, but the highschools were phenominal.
why thank you! it was an amazing chance to get to work with him and preform with him conducting, and i agree the KU choir not so much, but hey its KU... K-State all the way
I thought it was simply amazing.. I was fortunate to be at that concert, and was sitting approx. to where the camera was.. the lied center has amazing acoustics. the two High school groups that performed did better than the KU chamber choir.. i was very impressed. loved it.
so glad to be a part of FS choir program. It's so amazing! I'm sad though, that I did not get to see this concert. Although, it was awesome when it was performed at the school pre-contest concert. I was forced out of my seat by the sheer power of their voices! THAT AMAZING! great job! XD
A beautiful performance of a great choral composition. It strikes me that the recording is very transparant (for a choir this size! about three times bigger than our chamber choir). Whitacre seems to take it as a rubato piece, and the choir follows promptly and with vigour, specially the soprano's. The acoustics of this venue seems rather dry, which is not becoming. What is the average age of these choirs' members?
And sorry, kudos to your baritone, but I still like my baritone solo better ;-)
Just happen to read your post and though I'd answer a few questions for you. These are the two high schools of Lawrence's chamber choirs put together (only juniors and seniors) so we're all 16-18 year olds. (yes, I'm one of them :D ) Each choir has approx. 64 members in it. As for the recording, it's probably the quailty of the video, because listening to just a recording sounds 100 times better. As for the baritone, I cant speak much for it, but he's my boyfriend so that counts!! :D
Thanks for your response! Isn't it nice to chat about this piece while being 10.000 km apart? I think it is *great* that such a load of *high schoolers* learn to sing this piece. Wish I would've learned it while I was a high-schooler! Yet I understand that it is only for the 'very happy few'. Same over here, but then at the MA/BA level.
Yes, audio recordings are usually better than video. Never mind - I've just found a quick way to mix them up. Even Movie Maker knows how to do it. cheers!
I'd have to agree with Rox; it's the quality of the video that doesn't give it justice. I performed in the band that evening and had the amazing privilege of watching this during two rehearsals and the actual performance. I was blown away, and after attending the same high school and seeing these performers many times you'd think I would be used to it. But it was simply, and absolutely, breath-taking. I was almost crying...:)
My god, just found this. too nice
c2dlo797 3 months ago
great choir, not so great soloists.
kuhayelahh 6 months ago
i like the little leg kick at 6:40
shoot100strait 6 months ago
holy shizz.. its shighschool??!?!
iloveredsox7020 7 months ago
Chord at 6:18 is craaazy! Love the dynamics.
cscottmusic10 1 year ago
Watching this again. Love you, Aezra.
Nanbot 2 years ago
there's no way in Satan's hell that that was high school. that possibly the best rendition of this song that i've heard. ever. it was perfect.
gobiballer 2 years ago 7
@gobiballer my best friend Aezra Sky DuttonHurt whom had the solo at the end died last year
SingingShavLoser 1 year ago
@SingingShavLoser my cousin called and told me when it happened. i'll miss all the times we used to hang at austin's house
Bergashnurga 1 year ago
@SingingShavLoser :( What happened?
Octavoification 3 months ago
highschool! oh my God!
seamusfinnigan2000 2 years ago 5
mantap mantap
MrDoxycycline 2 years ago
MEeee
materialgrl47 2 years ago
The soloist at the end was my friend. We'll all miss him dearly. RIP Aezra.
mootothehood 2 years ago
yes, eric whitacre is a pure genius..
the way he write music and portrays a message..
is so different than other composers.
i love his music
MeganFOOL1 2 years ago
Eric Whitacre is Holier than Thou! =P
ScreamDemon08 2 years ago 13
o my freakin god amazing director amazing musicians amazing performance amazing song amazing inturpertation just FANTASTIC I TOOK MY BREATH AWAY
jordanmonstermurdoc2 2 years ago
Flying machine is revealed in Assassins Creed 2
west93 2 years ago
I know the Machine is in it (exciting), but is the song in it? That would be quite amazing.
OGoshJosh 2 years ago
haha i remember the awkward silence at the end of our performance too, we all stood there for literally 10-15 seconds before some brave audience member figured out it was over and started clapping haha
motifontheback 2 years ago
oh god, the RIC choir sang this my freshman year at college, i miss being in a choir :[ this song owns my liiifee
motifontheback 2 years ago
and 6:14 and at 6:40 are the best parts :)
altoid2010 2 years ago
i love this song. definitely my favorite he composed. we sang this in my high school mixed choir and he is coming to my school next year and planning to preform this song again :)
altoid2010 2 years ago
I found out today that this piece is going to be an all state piece in Arkansas. woo hoo!!
mangofreek 2 years ago
i was in that choir that won first place in Oregon!!
we had the opportunity to work with him in new york and we sang in avery fisher hall. it was amazing. eric whitacre is such a fantastic composer.
spragueoly2010 2 years ago
Oh my goodness.
We just had state choir competitions here in Oregon and the choir that took first sang this song.
And we sang With a Lily.
Gawd he is fricking brilliant.
The whooshing sound that starts at 6:26 gives me goosebumps EVERY time.
Barbosaaaa 2 years ago
Just so others are aware, the baritone solo at the end of the piece was sung by Aezra DuttonHurt, who passed away Friday morning, May 1, 2009. May he rest in peace, and his incredible talent live on in our hearts
Roxbury223 2 years ago 3
Aezra was one of my best friends, I love his voice, now, I can come and listen to it whenever I want.
SingingShavLoser 2 years ago
wow I got teary eyed. I loved singing this song in choir.
robotkitty07 2 years ago
hey could you remove the video response of my choir video? i meant to reply with only the band one, sorry. yeah our choir's version is nothing at all compared to yours haha so just take that one off and leave the band one. thanksss
itsmrGuy 2 years ago
zu tonal!!!
Quadrupelfuge 2 years ago
reminds me of Willem Dafoe in The Boondock Saints.
PretentiousBastards 2 years ago
i've met him!!! SO AMAZING :) this is my favorite piece
swimxlife23 2 years ago
I go to LFSHS, the choir from there is one of the choirs in this video. So good!
CatalysticKeith 2 years ago
INSANE!
Elphaba415 3 years ago
I was priviledged to hear the Brigham Young University Singers do this piece this weekend. The way the text works with the composing is so magnificently elegant. Very well sung here as well!
JubalJoslyn 3 years ago
Wow, lucky you!
PatrickDunnevant 2 years ago
I am sooo excited to be doing this piece this semester...and in China!!!! can't wait
soundofharlem 3 years ago
We did this in my school's Chamber Choir. It's just amazing and it's better than any energy drink to sing. It produces a natural high.
mimimozealia 3 years ago
i have wanted to sing this song all my life but i havent had the chance i hope it comes soon.
SingPioneerMusic 3 years ago
my choir is doing water night right now, and we have done at least one eric whitacre song every year our school has been open and hopefully we will do this my senior year it is honestly fantastic!
KILLSWITCH4LIFE 3 years ago
what a great soundscape!
intriguing...
reinyredja 3 years ago
Large groups are hard to sing in. This group is amazing none the less. And with Whitacre! I've only been able to communicate with him through email - the choir director I knew from UIUC (Dr. Chester Alwes) has actually met him, the lucky dog - he takes his dynamic markings very seriously. And he's an amazing person; when you see pictures of his eyes while he's conducting, they're so wide open and full of knowledge that I can only dream to possibly attain.
ExVash 3 years ago
love this. him directing excites me. and i knew with him directing i had hit a gold mine
kixuloz 3 years ago
the build up from 6:22 to 6:41 is amazing....my favorite part of the whole song...
jm958924 3 years ago
the acapella choir im in is singing this for our may fiesta and contest I am so excited this piece is awesomw
elphieluvs2sing 3 years ago
i was able to meet anthony sylvestry they guy who wrote the words for this piece and he told me that when the altos do their 16th notes in about the early 4 minute mark that was taken from the matrix for this song
generic00004 3 years ago
god this is amazing piece. i even got it on my ipod. eric is incredible
silentlysinking 3 years ago
DIS SONG IS GUD
eeyorelover15oe 3 years ago
Well I would hope you have it on you ipod if you like the song....
I have alomst all of his pieces on my ipod, and the recordings my high school did of Leonardo, Sleep, Lux Aurumque, This Marriage, and A Boy and A Girl.
zizzersoccer 3 years ago
i have always loved this amazing, mind blowing song! sheesh...sheer brillance! :)
beautifullytragic4 3 years ago
this makes me all warm and fuzzy inside...
fearsadness14 3 years ago
aaaaahh, at 7:15 i start to get goosebumps and they just keep on spreading until i get goosebumps up my neck and to my ears.
aaaaaaaahhhh
RarisaChan 3 years ago
My choir!
Freestate choirs rock :)
MaddieRooLovesU 3 years ago
i just think the way he brought the choir in is the coolest thing ive ever seen lol
Pianoman011 3 years ago
I agree!! His conducting as a whole is kind of all-over-the-place, but that entrance really sets the tone, and is definitely a 'cool move' :)
Ramberta 3 years ago
Wow I can't wait to go to this school
ChuckNorris1100 3 years ago 3
How can I get Whitacre to come to my school? He can save me from this musical hell!
LambertSchnaph 3 years ago
Ahhhh!!!! I see dots on my arms! Dots of goosebumps I shall say. Very well done choirs. I heard this song performed by the Mt. Eden Choir and I was astonished. This here I am stunned. Goosebumps all the way. Terrific job choir for this amazing performance. I hope I will get to perform this song too when I enter high school in a couple of months. I have the sheet music and it is difficult!
morningveralace 3 years ago
I can't even begin to say how good this is for a high school choir. You alway's hear people on here say that their choir is soooo amazing and then you listen to the video and it's crap. LOL This, however, is pure bliss. I will say that I thought I heard the best high school group ever in 04' when I graduated. They are actually the Glendale High School Chamber Choir (I will post videos soon) from Springfield, MO, but after hearing this group I think I will leave my mind open. Thanks.
slyder12000 3 years ago
the most fun I've ever had with a piece. No other song really compares. Woot Woot!
keegansister 3 years ago
ugh this piece makes me cry its so beautiful
shaylybri 3 years ago
one of my friends is in that choir.
mynamesalex11 3 years ago 2
Ah-Inspiring. I'm in love with Whitacre and this song.
jonknott09 3 years ago 2
high schoolers???!!! wow... thats amazing!
COALLSTATE07 3 years ago 4
YES!! I love eric whitacre :)
This night was AMAZING
rachelvan 3 years ago
he lifts up his arms as if he wants to fly. go, mr. whitacre. fly on!
paperclipwoman 3 years ago 4
what an amazing group of kids
allstopspulled1 3 years ago
I just love looking at his hair...
SparklingPinkUnicorn 3 years ago 2
This is AMAZING. We are singing this right now and it has to be one of my FAVORITE pieces right now. This performance is FANTASTIC...Whitacre seems like he is a pretty chill man...How was it singing under him.
swmstar89 3 years ago
it was pretty much the most amazing thing ever... he brought out the best of us... we had a blast
thatgirlsacowboy 2 years ago
you know if this was the Manhattan HighSchool Chamber choir it would have been perfect! jk, you guys actually did an amazing job...KU choir, not so much, but the highschools were phenominal.
cantfindanothername 3 years ago
why thank you! it was an amazing chance to get to work with him and preform with him conducting, and i agree the KU choir not so much, but hey its KU... K-State all the way
thatgirlsacowboy 2 years ago
Did no one get Sleep?!
TiaWarner 4 years ago
We did sleep as a combined band/choir piece. Trust me, it's probably not nearly as good as if it were just one or the other.. :D
Roxbury223 4 years ago
I was in the band! Anyone have footage of the band?
mootothehood 4 years ago
I have both bands, I put up Ghost train already and I will do Octobor pretty soon.
choirnerd99 4 years ago
holy crap! this is awesome!
my choir is singing this in our next concert and I am currently in shock to actually find whitacre conducting this piece......
jellymellybelly 4 years ago
I thought it was simply amazing.. I was fortunate to be at that concert, and was sitting approx. to where the camera was.. the lied center has amazing acoustics. the two High school groups that performed did better than the KU chamber choir.. i was very impressed. loved it.
jyoho44 4 years ago
I'm in that choir!
JJTitan8327 4 years ago
so glad to be a part of FS choir program. It's so amazing! I'm sad though, that I did not get to see this concert. Although, it was awesome when it was performed at the school pre-contest concert. I was forced out of my seat by the sheer power of their voices! THAT AMAZING! great job! XD
fschoirgirl33 4 years ago 2
very great recording, it's nice to see whitacre himself directing it too :) thanks so much for posting :):)
born2broadway 4 years ago
I was in that choir!!
Dusty45 4 years ago
A beautiful performance of a great choral composition. It strikes me that the recording is very transparant (for a choir this size! about three times bigger than our chamber choir). Whitacre seems to take it as a rubato piece, and the choir follows promptly and with vigour, specially the soprano's. The acoustics of this venue seems rather dry, which is not becoming. What is the average age of these choirs' members?
And sorry, kudos to your baritone, but I still like my baritone solo better ;-)
mcouzijn 4 years ago
Just happen to read your post and though I'd answer a few questions for you. These are the two high schools of Lawrence's chamber choirs put together (only juniors and seniors) so we're all 16-18 year olds. (yes, I'm one of them :D ) Each choir has approx. 64 members in it. As for the recording, it's probably the quailty of the video, because listening to just a recording sounds 100 times better. As for the baritone, I cant speak much for it, but he's my boyfriend so that counts!! :D
Roxbury223 4 years ago
Thanks for your response! Isn't it nice to chat about this piece while being 10.000 km apart? I think it is *great* that such a load of *high schoolers* learn to sing this piece. Wish I would've learned it while I was a high-schooler! Yet I understand that it is only for the 'very happy few'. Same over here, but then at the MA/BA level.
Yes, audio recordings are usually better than video. Never mind - I've just found a quick way to mix them up. Even Movie Maker knows how to do it. cheers!
mcouzijn 4 years ago
I'd have to agree with Rox; it's the quality of the video that doesn't give it justice. I performed in the band that evening and had the amazing privilege of watching this during two rehearsals and the actual performance. I was blown away, and after attending the same high school and seeing these performers many times you'd think I would be used to it. But it was simply, and absolutely, breath-taking. I was almost crying...:)
shortnsweet1892 4 years ago