I'm Gonna Sing 'Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart - BCC Choir

[proudaltome]

I found this after clicking off a lot of too-sweet versions! If you sing with any conviction (and if you don't you might as well pack up & go home) you are not gonna sound "sweet". I mean, the sheet music even says to "moan" at the end--that ain't sweet. The conductor obviously knows her stuff and the choir is nailed on her every move. Any "off' sounds on the recording are due to overtones from bad sound, which is not the choir's fault.

[proudaltome]

The only issue I have is that the recording is really not very good. Lots of weird overtones. But I can still tell that the choir is doing it right!

[NiciSmilez]

This. Is amazing. I haven't performed this since my junior year in highschool and it still gives me chills. And yes, this is the way it should be articulated. I miss this genre of music, the college that I attend doesn't sing songs like these and it kills me..I have to wait until I go home to sing spirituals..=(

[DirectoresCortar]

FINALLY a video of people singing it the correct way! Moses Hogan came to my hs before he passed and worked with us on a few of his songs. Everybody else Ive heard singing this, makes it robotic and lifeless...great job you guys!

[WTDandridge]

I sung with this choir for 4 years! The articulation, diction and tone are impecable with this group! Let us not forget to mention that, not only did Linda Hall study under Moses Hogan, BUT THIS CHOIR WAS SELECTED TO SING WITH MOSES HOGAN HIMSELF BEFORE HE PASSED!!! CITY FOREVER! Attend a live concert and you will see why this choir is #1 in the country (Festival Choral competitions 1999-present) and NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD (DAYS OF OUR INTERNATIONAL CHORAL COMPETITION MILAN ITALY 2003!)

[maryre793]

@Akeysfan4life90 i think it is very unfair for u to say they song it wrong. clearly they r just singing their own rendition of the song and it sounds nice. if you knew anything about the Baltimore city college choir you would know they are every professional and diverse. and the people tlking about their arm and body movements its because they are into the song and singing from the soul. duh

[TheLisha30]

Whomever Akeysfan4life90 is you can go directly to HELL cause I sang this song under the direction of Ms. Linda Hall and regardless to what you say...she has ears like a fox and if anyone was off in the slightest she would have corrected it immediatly...plus not to mention you obviously don't know what a "negro spiritual" is supposed to sound like, it's supposed to be "SANG" and "OH MAH JESUS" and not pronounced like diction is done with the tip of the tongue and the teeth...idiot!

[bandoutaboston]

Hopewell Valley Chamber Singers loves Baltimore City College Choir...and people like akeysfan who left negative comments are ignorant to the true nature of choral music...which is supposed to come from deep within...and if your soul is telling you to move then goddammit move!...your rendition is amazing...not "ghettofied"...and far surpasses what tightasses like akeysfan can even begin to comprehend...

[narutofan90210]

@bandoutaboston heeeey hopewell we miss yall

[jswanigan2006]

what's up with everyone's hands/arms?

[4evranangel]

@jswanigan2006 really distracting.

[michaelmontey]

is that mike m and josh? guys sound good miss hall is amazing room for lil improvement but who is to say it isnt the media nevertheless good job!

[ez344]

1st soprano needs a little help on 1:26 just little help

[dapro06]

WONDERFUL!!! Great interpretation and intent!

[Sscencebeauty1201]

I love how the cameraman is singing along. He sounds really good.

[3rdtwilight]

lol @ the people who are as Ms. Linda R. Hall says, "technitions" and not "musicians". Music is about interpretation and expression of what is going through the atmosphere at that moment within that group of people.

how DARE you RAPE music of its beauty by trying to place it in a box. Moses hogan, who has personally worked with this choir and its director, once said that the city college choir knows/understands his music better than his own does. you can quote me on that. git gud n00bs!

[akai5690]

Thats funny cause we sang it to craig jessop i'm assuming you know who he is since you have so much to say, but when we sang it to him at carnegie hall i'm sure you know what that is he loved it. And maybe if you knew who moses hogan was you would know that this is his interpretation so sorry...

[apostolic770]

I LOVE IT!! Thats the real Moses Hogan sound!

[Akeysfan4life90]

I sung this piece in high school, and this is by NO means how it should sound. There is absolutely NO articulation, which is the key factor for this song to sound correct.

"I'm gonna SANG till the spirit..."

"Oh MAH Jesus"

And what was that "wop" thing you all were doing with your arms?

It is a spiritual, but is not supposed to sound...whats the word...Ghettofied'! The only word i could use to describe this mess.

A complete disgrace to Moses Hogan, a magnificent composer!

Horrible!

[jng7]

what you people fail to realize is that the director here studied under Moses Hogan, so your comments are not only irrelevant, but not welcome! If you didn't like the way it was sounding, you should have just clicked the little red box in the top right hand corner and kept it moving pal!

[ash82405]

Also, you need to realize that authentic negro spirituals were not well-articulated. Imagine a people where they had to learn new language and culture... their english would've not been perfect. And the "wop" thing as you call it is what we would call emotion thank you very much.

[Akeysfan4life90]

The song can still have the same "emotion" if they would have stood still and expressed it with their faces. In music, emotion comes through sound not movement. Suppose a blind person was at the show? They wouldn't be able to see all of that dancing they were doing. And as i said the words to the song are sing, not sang, and my not mah. Moses Hogan wrote the words how he wanted them pronounced. Please don't use the fact that this is a spiritual as an excuse to why the song wasn't sung correctly.

[ash82405]

Okay think what you want to think. Some interpretations are different than others. Have a blessed day...

[akai5690]

you obviously have a hearing problem and a grammar problem if you heard sang instead of sing

[hut765]

so basically you're saying that it's it's wrong to sing a spiritual the way a slave would?

yeah, makes perfect sense

[23CHOIRBOY]

@Akeysfan4life90

You wouldn't understand the emotion this rendition sent out to the audience unless you were there. Technique is not what matters in a spiritual, but it is collective sounds and emotions that makes it important. Once again, my choir director and choir was proclaimed my Moses Hogan, himself, in 2002 to be the best choir in the world to sing his music. Please enjoy, because I bet your choir's rendition did not get a standing ovation. So how about you sit down.

[Geronimo1913]

@23CHOIRBOY I agree but disagree. Yes, emotions and collective sounds are very important but that doesn't mean good vocal technique should be thrown out the window. Overall, you guys slayed it but there are a few things I didn't care for but if the audience and choir loves it, who cares what anyone else thinks? LOL

[Akeysfan4life90]

@23CHOIRBOY It doesn't matter whether you got a standing ovation or not. The audience specifically judges by what they hear. They have no knowledge as far as how this song should be portrayed and performed. It is okay that the audience liked it, and it doesn't matter what credentials the director has. The song sounded bad, plain and simple.

[Akeysfan4life90]

@23CHOIRBOY @23CHOIRBOY It doesn't matter whether you got a standing ovation or not. The audience specifically judges by what they hear. They have no knowledge as far as how this song should be portrayed and performed. It is okay that the audience liked it, and it doesn't matter what credentials the director has. The song sounded bad, plain and simple.

[BCCHSMD]

@Akeysfan4life90 mind me asking what high school did you attend. I understand you may have been taught differently at your school but every choir is different. Ms. Hall ( The choir Director at City College) has over 30 years of musical experience. She meet Moses Hogan and he told her that they way the choir sings it is how he wish other choirs sung it. But as mentioned every school sings songs the way they are comfortable with.

[4evranangel]

@Akeysfan4life90 you sung?... you sang.

[narutofan90210]

@Akeysfan4life90 i didn't know slave spoke proper english. we are a group of not only blessed but intelligent musicians. if you want a very formal refined sound please buy one of the baltimore city college choir cd's. You'll get your share of diction and vowels.

[calisurfergirl27]

wow! that was so awesome!

[kiloter101]

lol watching this is my chorus homework

[goingfar11]

i have nothing againts the approach and such of it... its just that no one sounds together at all. listen to eachother and have a unified sound.

[jng7]

This isn't a gospel rendition... This isn't a gospel choir.

[jng7]

AND to all the haters: Ms. Hall studied with Moses Hogan, so I think she has a better handle on how the piece should sound. It's a negro spiritual, the words are not 'proper' and should have a lil bit of flavor in them. Blacks during the time that this is based on were from down south... duh people...

[jng7]

Please keep in mind that in this particular performance, there were current students mixed with alum.  They hadn't practiced much together, so understand that it's not the most polished, and it wasn't suppose to be. This is just one song that old alum, as well as current students knew and could join together to sing. Please stop hating!!!

[collegeboundmusician]

Excuse me!!! I don't know who YOU are Mr.Jimmy09 but lets not argue with each other when we're on the same side...I too have sung under the direction of the one and only Linda Hall and there is none other like her but the BCC choir doesn't sing to impress people we do it because we love music so anyone who has anything negative to say about this video needs to keep it to themselves because last time I checked, we dont need ur approval to know how good we are. Let the works weve done speak for us

[jimmyj09]

Well if that's the case my attitude want ment for you and i do apologize.....

[jimmyj09]

Dont listen to the ppl who say it wasnt perfect all the way through because it was....any thing that the infamous Linda Hall directs is always perferct because she demands nothing less, believe you me, i have sang under her direction enough to this...yall sounded awsome

[collegeboundmusician]

To all of you guys who love to hate...Thank you because that really means you admire us and lets all please know what we are talking about when we speak...We aren't challenging any other choirs and quite frankly I believe whoever put this video up didn't care about what your choir did so lets stop tryna put each other down because it's getting to world of music nowhere.

[jimmyj09]

forget you, who eva you are...you dont know shit

[satBASS]

Ummm...it was good in some spots. Like at 0:58 part sounded on point. but idk the rest just sounds kinda wrong. The whole choir seems to be rushing, especially the tenors on the chorus. The Basses are flat on there section in the beginning. And for the most part the female voices dont blend and are sharp.

[Davanee08]

not very good...too many people tryna stand out...goog guy voices though

[SwtLoneliGrl]

Thank you for posting this! it makes me happy, I used to sing this all the time in choir (shout out Sopranos!!!) The first video on you tube to do this great song justice!

[willjamm2]

I hate how they move!

[Fffyou]

it's called emoting fucker...sorry we can't be stiff like those white choirs

[kittiesman12]

Bitch and moan all you want its not gonna change my opinion a damn bit

[w3stwood]

Heh very nice. Greets from Slovenia. The chore my gf is in also sang this song on a concert. Must say live is much better then it could ever been captured in a video.

[misstika03]

YES City yall betta sing. I love them!!! *City Forever*

[huangt12007]

This is brilliant!! :D

[jjakeem3]

I absolutely Love my QWAH!!! Yall do yall thing!! The dynamics are KILLIN'!! And to Ms.Linda Hall, thats my LADY!!! And to all my other fellow City College Members, I love yall dearly!!

[grobanbuble]

eh it's not bad. My school does it better. Go ahead give me a thumbs down....

[kittiesman12]

this sounds horrible. WAAAAAy too much vibrato

[vicmark12]

ya face looks terrible...i can tell that by ur comment dont talk about my choir like...can i see u do better

[vicmark12]

you would think that seens your choirs dont use vibrato...duh...black choirs use alot of color...

[Fffyou]

is that the only musical term you know...how impressive. if you didnt know asshole...they actually sound just like the Fisk Jubilee Singers. But you know it all, right. Dumbass.

[apostolic770]

It's not too much vibrato, its just Blacks have a natural vibrato and it is definately captured in this song. We have a very distinctive voice that caucasians cannot immitate

[Geronimo1913]

@apostolic770 The human voice has a natural vibrato. When you try to sing straight flat tones you'll damage your voice. Sounds are waves after all. When singing on even/flat tones, you're fighting what your voice wants to do. It's not a black or white thing.

[4evranangel]

@kittiesman12 horrible?... false.

[EmoneyCT313]

AMZING! MY School sings this, Cass Tech!

[Geronimo1913]

@EmoneyCT313 Cass never did it better than King. At least while I was at King. LOL

[EmoneyCT313]

@Geronimo1913 lol...thats wut yew say, but i have recordings with proof..so with that being said..Cass Didnt do it better..They Surpassed it by far and you couldnt even Compare the Two becuz Cass was on such a high level lol

[Geronimo1913]

@EmoneyCT313 It is what I say. :P LOL We'll just have to agree to disagree at this point Mr. EmoneyCT313. In the end, it's still choral music and none of it really matters all that much to one that is studying and training to go into opera. I'm sure your Cass Tech did a lovely job with it. I'm just saying that when I was at King, Cass had a booty choir. I'm sure your Cass Tech choir is very different from the one of 10+ years ago.

[EmoneyCT313]

@Geronimo1913 right,,lo..nd yeswe will...

andu right bout that.....right lol....

[pattysgurlie]

you all are amazing...seriously lol. im from High Point's Concert Choir...we went to Penn State and we were sooo blownnn when you all werent there..our director, mr. lewis, tells us all about u guys and how wonderful u are...im truly blessed to have finally heard u guys!! first soprano's...u sound wonderful..amazing really lol...i do the obligato in this song too and u girls...man...its like angels singing lol

[candiechoirlover]

and this is why i am in love with choir. seeing you guys get so into your music make my heart sing with delight...beautifully done...amazing. I had to get up and dance while listening to this one, make me want to PRAISE THE LORD!!! I hope our choir can do as good at you guys...I'm blown away

[OSUfirebird18]

moses hogan is awesome! I love his spirituals!

[kerleriskerl]

wow this was great!!! LOVE the soprano 1's!!!!

[ashley82405]

oh yeah!! its the BCC!!

[Felder09]

well clearly i sing on te choir and we sound excellent...i can care less wat choir u sung in....clearly dis choir last longer than any choir u have been on...we killd dat nite...and u kno wat..were goin 2 CARNEGIE HALL IN MARCH 08....!!!!!!! SO KEEP UR RUDE COMMENTS CUZ WE WILL SHOUT OUT TO U IN NY...

[7XXBLKALLDAY]

dats wassup im on dis choir now and im trying to tell you we are the bomb love ya.pepsii

[vkiernan]

the woman do kinda drown out the guys... but it's not bad... it's pretty good... you just need more bass from what I can tell... but that could always just be a problem with the camera's mic. nice work =)

[justalilemo]

I'm sorry but while this wasnt absolutely horrible, it really wasnt good. The female voices were way too loud. I've done this song in an advanced choir before, and this was not good.

[HHMgirl]

Not bad overall I have to say. It'd be nice to be able to hear the soloists a little more. I performed this song with Susan Quinn, conductor of 5 choirs in St John's Newfoundland with Holy Heart high school, and we found the sound much better with a soprano and tenor soloist and allowing the power of the soloists to be heard over the rest of the choir. Try getting the large group to back off a little more so we can enjoy the soloists. ^_^

[Felder09]

WE KILLED DAT DAY....I LOVE U GUYS

[LoveTeeC3]

I was in the BCC Chorale under the direction of Ms. Hall from '90-'93; love ya, Ms. H!

[khendon07]

o my Jesus!

[miracle2see]

O my Jesus, Concert Chorale member 1st tenor 95-99 Chad. Lov U Doc

[HUBassProdigy]

I swear it's just something about the Black voice that adds to the quality of sound of choral music; especially the spiritual.

[23CHOIRBOY]

I love my choir family. Leroy

[martlivie]

i was in love wit this qwah when i was on it and still am. its the bcc