I was in this choir! This was my Junior year and 3rd time participating in the AL All-State Choir. This was my favorite song, other than Waynapaq Taki...(either that was the same year or the year after) I had a wonderful time each and every year I was in the All-State choir. Shelby Bowling is the soprano you hear at the very end, she went to school in Mobile and is now an opera singer in Vegas. She has a great set of lungs! This brings back so many fond memories!
My high school choir performed this song better than this last weekend... just sayin'. Not saying this is bad, this is spectacular! But we did better >_>
@oneonetwosix1126 The students who make the state honors choir only work with each other for a few hours a day for three days. They've practiced the songs on their own for a long time, of course, but it doesn't compare to working with each other with the same idea in your head about what you should do and a director there to guide you. For having only worked with each other for a few days the state honors choirs are always very impressive.
I would never knock Moses Hogan, but this wasn't the version of the song that I was looking for, I like it, it's just a bit different compared to the version I've heard.
Could have used some more rehearsal time so those obvious memory mistakes were done away with, but a pretty good performance overall. Glad to know so many directors went away from the ACDA convention the year before remembering our performance!
If talking about tone quality..! it was amazing.!! but the speed.. and the speeding up during the second part of the song was kind of a throw off.. :D good job tho..! we sing this song also!
Great job! Words and intonation in the tenors was iffy. Marian U. does a great job with maybe 1.4762% of the size of this choir. They also do a good job at I can tell the world by Hogan.
I definitely didn't like the attempted high F at the end. If it would have been in tune, I might have liked it. But the C wasn't in tune, so it ruined the F's intonation. What?! Not watching the director, sad. :(
Okay all you musical genius out there we knw we had screwed up, i'm sorry that you get together wit strangers u neva sung wit in yo life for two days and everything goes perfect EVERY TIME....If you say so yu a lie...If you dont like the video...WATCH ANOTHER ONE...But i think we still sounded good through our mistakes...I was in this choir, now i'm goin on tour internationally singing so thanks to for being apart of my history and letting me apart of yours.
@hotboi009 I sang this song in a 300-500 person thrown-together choir the year before, and we acquitted ourselves better than this recording makes you guys out as having done. (Granted though, we had THREE days practice before hand.) And a great number of junior colleges, colleges and universities in the country have at least one choir or group that has an annual international trip, so that last part doesn't mean too much. Good job though carrying on with your obvious passion for music.
@hotboi009 lol, not saying i agree with these ppl criticizing the video. But your not helping out too much with your funny words and spelling. I'll admit, I had fun trying to figure out what your trying to say tho lol
Props to the girl who hit that high f, it wasn't great, but you hit the note anyway. I was in MO all-state 2 years and am a voice major in college now, and I think it was okay, but nothing truly special. Many spots could have been worked out. Great job overall, as it is moses hogan
Oh my goodness!! At the end I was thinking, yeah this is pretty good, they did all right. AND THEN THAT HIGH NOTE! It just entirely blew me away! How exciting!
whoa! i was totally in this choir, i didn't know someone had posted this, aha. yeah, this wasn't one of our better songs...but i was in three allstates during my high school years and this was def. the best one. thannks to who posted this! brings back memories. =]
Oh my the men's entry around 1:20 is aweful. Don't like the way they phrase "Keep your hand". Ok the men's solos are terrible in the entire piece, who chose them? The soprano line @ the end is a musical abortion. My dear, this is no where in the neighborhood of the "most awesome choir ever"! They are loud but look at the sheer # of singers. Someone in the alto was belting strange notes for most of the song.
omg i gotta agree, even though i kinda liked the additional high f at the end, but afterwards the choir RUINED it for me when they entered too early around 2:45. ugh. I love this song tho, it's one of my favorite moses hogan pieces.
I really like the singing it's well done, but honestly they pick such boring songs for All State, that's why I preferred All shore back in high school, the songs were more exciting and liberal.
My choir went to Central Michigan State University to sing for a state competition, and a different choir sang this.. IT WAS AMAZING! This song is awesome!
The bass run should be more of a solo. It shouldn't sound so abrupt and forward. There should be more depth to the sound. There should be more to the bottom note as well. And the men soloists were flat. Just a few pointers. Most of the solos needed alot of improvement.
you can tell that in each section their is one person that sticks out more than anyone else. im not trying to knock the performance its hard to find common ground in such a difficult peace it was great. but each section needs to sound like one singer not one singer sounding like one section. =P haha.
i agree the soloists need some work. The girls sliding up to the notes does not express style so much as an inability to hit the notes correctly. As for the guys they would be good, but you hear mostly one and it is not blended.
y such tall vowels in the song, its suppose 2 b sung wit a southern black accent. Still sounds good tho!!! Good Job!!! In my opinion, Missouri All State is better, lol!! :D
seems to drag just a little bit though. moses hogan is amazing.
the soprano part was a little weak at some parts and too strong at others. balance is a little off. ending soprano part. someone was really flat and too much vebrato. other than that. amazing!
I was in the SSAA choir that year but i loved every moment of the entire performance. This song even gave me goosebumps.
For anyone who says this song was done badly then they have no clue what they were talking about! Do they even realize just how difficult All-State is? Oh well. I loved this song and I"m glad someone posted it on here!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This is horrible. What embarassment I'm sure this placed on the choir and to Moses Hogan. If you're going to put upload a performance, at least put up a good one.
its hard for me to like this, after reading your description, having near perfect pitch. Nevertheless, you kinda have to like a moses hogan(RIP) arrangement that is, overall, performed well lol.
Dont take it personal, it's just that I thought with all the talent in Cali, a soloist
that would get nervous could be found in an All-State choir.
I was in this my senior year the conductor was California His name is Granville M. Oldham, jr. I wish I could still go to all stae but I'm in college now
WOW!!! He's definately been all over the place. He's the best director I've ever had the priveledge of working under. Sense of humor.... ha ha let's just say its great. If anyone ever has a chance to work with this man you'll never forget his face or the expierience.
Its typical for Hogan to stretch the range for SATB. His arrangements can really work the singer, as well as the director. Thats how he can make a highschool choir sound so very mature.
um i would agree with tommyboy... i have sang in several all states in florida and this was a lovely performance. interpretation is just that, interpretted. dont knock it until you can do better and definitely unless you are THE moses hogan.
Wow... we sure do have alot of professional directors in this segment. OH and whoever said this group sucks... Lets get one thing straight, Alabma all-state DOES NOT suck...
The only thing that I don't like about this is that we, some of the females, messed up at the end bc he changed it only letting the soloists sing and not everyone. But other than that I think we did awesome.
as a singer and someone who has performed this song, the inflection is not correct within the womens sections. Too much pronunciation in some parts, not enough in others. Tones are TOO open and not enough intensity, which is different from volume. I also personally knew Moses Hogan and dont believe he would have been overcome with joy during this interpretation...what was that screech in the obligato???
THIS SONG IS WAY TOO SLOW. Oh my god people learn how to sing a damn spiritual. How boring...if anyone here heard this song the tempo its SUPPOSED to be...you guys would be blown away. And the sopranos were off, but not loud enough. This director sucks. Horrible interpretation. He should stay away from spirituals and stick to other kinds of music. For real.
I think it was a good tempo. It's the director's feel. I am a director so I understand this tempo very well. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE BY THE ALL STATE CHOIR. I new Moses Hogan personally and He would think this was super if he was here to hear this performance.
I love the attempt at the soparanos ending, but in my opion, she/they are overblowing it. I do understand that you need more air to reach higher notes, but not more volume. Everything else was awsome though :-)
my only thing is the needed more "d" sound on hold especially at the end but other than that they did good and i hear hear the bass section fine. very good dark round tone also the the hints of the vibrato helped make this spiritual sound darker also which is good.
Ending consonants is a very contentious topic among choir directors. I've heard good arguments both ways. Alabama definitely has their share of tremendous voices. However, I would quibble with tuning in a few places...not overall, but many single notes throughout the piece are out of tune. Still, a very fine choir. I think the Oklahoma choirs I was in was at this level, and still haven't heard a close second to Texas (I still haven't heard California All-State, however).
I negro Spirituals the ending sounds are not that important. The "D" is sound because I hear HOL DON. Spirituals that are performed should be done according to the text of the song. Therefore, song ending sounds are not that important in this style of music. I am a director who always do a spiritual at contest because I want my children to be exposed to all types of music. My choir do spirituals as well as they do classical music.
i love the high soprano at the end. just brill. while it does have parts i dont like and a non-existant bass section: i love it. and love moses hogan. so yay!
i did this in the NJ All State in 2006 and im not gonna lie...although NJ is usually one of the strongest states within ACDA, you guys definitely did better than we did, especially w/ the bass and sop sections. they sound more legit.
shannabanana...good time for the race card...always a good excuse or just something to use....umm i'm apart of the trf high school..in Minnesota....and we are also very good on this song...we have 1 black girl....we are all white...lol
before you get all testy babe...let it be known that its rare when people of color sing classical music and sing it DAMN WELL... so yea...second i was j/k..yea...so...i will be in Minnesota Feb 8-12 on tour with my HS CC...hit me up and we'll see...lol
I didnt say that Hold On by Moses Hogan is a classical piece... I def. know that this is a spiritual...so thanks. Second,I was complementing my own race which few people tend to do where I live. Third. I said it was rare when yo find an African American high school chorus that can sing music at this level and sing it well... So Im afraid you are the one who is ignorant sir/madame, because you didnt read (or comprehend) my previous posting for some strange reason. Thanx and have a blessed day.
Um, please take time to go back and read over what you said. You implied that "Hold On" is a spiritual. Or can you explain why you randomly bring up classical music when talking about a Moses Hogan piece?
I sing classical pieces just fine, and know quite a few other all black choirs that can as well. Don't know where you're getting that from.
And I have no idea how you are complementing the African American race. You basically imply we are inferior in regards to classical music.
Look hun...Im not going to keep going back and forth with you so here it is... I know what I wrote fuck, I wrote it. Im not remedial, which seems to be what you are implying about me. Now I am def. complementing our race because this music is difficult, I have seen it, and alot of people cannot comprehend the music, black, white, latino, purple, russian, whatever. And obviously y would you comment if you knew it wasnt classical. Just mind your businessIf you have anything else to say message me.
I believe that's Granville Oldham directing? He's a BADASS!! He directed the Alabama TTBB back in 1996, when I was there. As for the soloists...remember, they were HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS..they did the best they could..and it still sounded good. Alabama has the best All-State Choirs, so you all quit hatin'...I live in Texas and saw an All-State Choir and I wasn't impressed....Go 'Bama.
soloist did mess up a bit.... but I've heard such better bass sections from all-state choirs.... even florida had a better bass section and they let anyone in. I might even go ahead and say that the tenors are really there either O_O.
psh. texas all-state is so much > this. granted, you may very well be the second best. Last year's "Conversion of Saul" would have ripped your soul to shreds and sprinkled them confetti style onto the lake of tears your body would have shed before your shredding.
why do all these Texas people come and bash other people's all states. All All States are good, why do you people constantly think you guys are better, our All State Choirs here in New York are just as good as yours in Texas
i love how everyone on here thinks they know everything about choral music. this recording is awesome. i've heard other all-state choirs on youtube, and this ones definately in the top, probably the best. this recording has something called culture, for those of you from these stuck up music schools who think everything's gotta sound like opera, you wouldn't know anything about culture.
I would characterize it the other way around. Not that I'd call this ensemble bad. I heard some tremendous voices, but the lower end of talent in this choir is worse than most All-State choirs I've heard. Usually isn't this kind of discrepancy in talent. Still, this ensemble is probably better than the college ensemble they'll go to next.
I wish the Sopranos weren't so shrilly. And the tenors "Well my brother hold on" one tenor was definitely trying too hard. Maybe the tempo could have been slower..
Norfolk State University is singing this song this year too. They have the freshmen doing the solos and they sound WONDERFUL. i'll try to record it the next time they perform and I'll post a link to it.
I truly do hope that you'll change your views of other people, because its wrong that your doing this to other people of other color! Racism should be dead by now, but I see that idiots like you still believe in it... Your wrong, and God DOES NOT LIKE IT when people JUDGE other people!
Don't get it twisted my misguided brotha. I did not disrespect Gods work. Even the heathens sing of his glory. My comments were directed to the infidels. You may have been brainwashed to believe everything that comes out of "massa's" mouth is gospel. However you need to free your mind. Take your hands off the plow and stop protecting these perpetrators.
Spirituals are one of the most misunderstood genres of music. They often get mistaken for gospel music with offensive dialects. In fact, during a time when talking to another slave called for punishments, spirituals served as a kind of coded newspaper, even planning escape routes (i.e. Wade in the Water).
Well Super Dork, if you would have read my previous comment you would have seen that I had referred to the music as a "Negro Spiritual". It was the Tom who suggested it was gospel. I was merely using his terminology. It's amazing how you pasty faced idiots love to educate others on their own culture.
I find it interesting to note that the only racist comments in this thread are yours. As if somehow only "Crackers" and "Pasty faced idiots" are capable of racism. Racism is ugly regardless of who thinks they have a privileged position of racial superiority. Enjoy your vacation in Ignoreland.
I just discovered this video, and I am an Alabama All-State Musician. I moved here in the summer of '05, and became a member of the Alabama All-State Middle School Mixed Choir of '06, then I moved on to the '07 High School TTBB Choir.
Gospels, on the other hand, were made MANY years later, and are used in traditional black churches. I'm not trying to be mean in any kind of way, but I don't agree with contemporary services, I attend traditional services myself, having been an Episcopalian all my life.
I am a composer/arranger, clinician, pianist, and a Baritone in the Alabama Chamber Choir. I am also an African American, and I agree with the other people that you utterly disrespected!! SuperDaveOkie was right with his difference of African American Spirituals and Gospels. African American Spirituals were used back in slavery times as songs or beats that they would make up that referred to their everyday thoughts, to what they planned to do to get away from the slave-holders.
You might find it interesting to know that Moses Hogan didn't really like modern Gospel music, so it sounds like you and he were pretty much on the same page.
Do you even now what Moses Hogan was all about? I am an African America music educator and I know why this music is the way it is. Research before you point fingers and call names.
Who is the conductor??
Vocellist2010 6 months ago in playlist Choir
I was in this choir! This was my Junior year and 3rd time participating in the AL All-State Choir. This was my favorite song, other than Waynapaq Taki...(either that was the same year or the year after) I had a wonderful time each and every year I was in the All-State choir. Shelby Bowling is the soprano you hear at the very end, she went to school in Mobile and is now an opera singer in Vegas. She has a great set of lungs! This brings back so many fond memories!
prosingerrenee 6 months ago in playlist Good Choral Songs
AWESOME!!!! Alabama SATB always rocks!! Especially this past year !!
stacedog1 6 months ago
@stacedog1 Yes we did!!! Lol.
singerguy2012 2 weeks ago
My high school choir performed this song better than this last weekend... just sayin'. Not saying this is bad, this is spectacular! But we did better >_>
chadvvvickable 1 year ago
i'm definately in this video !! fun times-- got anymore from that year? its sad that we rushed so much-- i wanted that solo haha
slashmuzik 1 year ago
Pretty messy! Not to my taste at all...too many soloists trying to show off...
oneonetwosix1126 1 year ago
@oneonetwosix1126 The students who make the state honors choir only work with each other for a few hours a day for three days. They've practiced the songs on their own for a long time, of course, but it doesn't compare to working with each other with the same idea in your head about what you should do and a director there to guide you. For having only worked with each other for a few days the state honors choirs are always very impressive.
minieyke 10 months ago
Check out ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY CHOIR from Huntsville, Al.. singing this...
acoby4u2009 1 year ago
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acoby4u2009 1 year ago
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acoby4u2009 1 year ago
we are doing this for Michigan's MSVOA Regional Honors Choir sounds SO COOL
Zeroman10012 1 year ago
I would never knock Moses Hogan, but this wasn't the version of the song that I was looking for, I like it, it's just a bit different compared to the version I've heard.
BrianRegan5 1 year ago
I love this. My choir is singing a different arrangement of this song, but this version is so exciting. Wow!! : ]
MajesticTOASTER 1 year ago
Could have used some more rehearsal time so those obvious memory mistakes were done away with, but a pretty good performance overall. Glad to know so many directors went away from the ACDA convention the year before remembering our performance!
abydosianchulac2 1 year ago
The soloists really did ruin it
1037pm 1 year ago
the soloists ruined the song. but this is so good
davidandbrokeback 1 year ago
If talking about tone quality..! it was amazing.!! but the speed.. and the speeding up during the second part of the song was kind of a throw off.. :D good job tho..! we sing this song also!
msangel19 1 year ago
Great job! Words and intonation in the tenors was iffy. Marian U. does a great job with maybe 1.4762% of the size of this choir. They also do a good job at I can tell the world by Hogan.
rocket090909 1 year ago
2:07 nice job on singing brother and sister at the same time tenors
davidandbrokeback 1 year ago
GREAT JOB!
Esha576 1 year ago
Our choir is doing this atm, and imo this recording is insanely fast = /
jpisa123 1 year ago
I definitely didn't like the attempted high F at the end. If it would have been in tune, I might have liked it. But the C wasn't in tune, so it ruined the F's intonation. What?! Not watching the director, sad. :(
THSChoir 1 year ago
@THSChoir I don't think it was that she wasn't watching the director, she just didn't give enough energy and set properly to sustain the F.
lifeoftheparty21 1 year ago
this isn't bad at all but i think i like MHSA performing "hold on" better... i just expected that a state choir wold be better then this
NomNomerz 2 years ago
Okay all you musical genius out there we knw we had screwed up, i'm sorry that you get together wit strangers u neva sung wit in yo life for two days and everything goes perfect EVERY TIME....If you say so yu a lie...If you dont like the video...WATCH ANOTHER ONE...But i think we still sounded good through our mistakes...I was in this choir, now i'm goin on tour internationally singing so thanks to for being apart of my history and letting me apart of yours.
hotboi009 2 years ago
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josue804 2 years ago
@hotboi009 I sang this song in a 300-500 person thrown-together choir the year before, and we acquitted ourselves better than this recording makes you guys out as having done. (Granted though, we had THREE days practice before hand.) And a great number of junior colleges, colleges and universities in the country have at least one choir or group that has an annual international trip, so that last part doesn't mean too much. Good job though carrying on with your obvious passion for music.
abydosianchulac2 1 year ago
@hotboi009 lol, not saying i agree with these ppl criticizing the video. But your not helping out too much with your funny words and spelling. I'll admit, I had fun trying to figure out what your trying to say tho lol
tincake14 1 year ago
this gives me chills.
awaaade007 2 years ago
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josue804 2 years ago
@awaaade007 yeah i know that one tenor came in at that spot and even sang the wrong words.. twice
davidandbrokeback 1 year ago
around 1;49.. tenors come in to soon or something went wrong..
MontyAd07 2 years ago
@MontyAd07 i know that same tenor came in at 1:50 ish like you said, and sang the wrong words. he did it again later in the song
davidandbrokeback 1 year ago
Amazing at the end, the only thing I could see is the tenor part was a little off, but overall, amazing! Going to All-State Choir (Idaho)
actionjacksonhern 2 years ago
WOW! You guys are really awsome.
phcatt15 2 years ago
Props to the girl who hit that high f, it wasn't great, but you hit the note anyway. I was in MO all-state 2 years and am a voice major in college now, and I think it was okay, but nothing truly special. Many spots could have been worked out. Great job overall, as it is moses hogan
TaylorComstock 2 years ago
@TaylorComstock does any1 care about u, what you've done, or what u think? lol jw...
tincake14 1 year ago
HOLY CRAP! props to the girl who held that high c or high for that long!
SelleBelle1 2 years ago
Oh my goodness!! At the end I was thinking, yeah this is pretty good, they did all right. AND THEN THAT HIGH NOTE! It just entirely blew me away! How exciting!
sanfranflowerz 2 years ago 10
oh I am so excited I am going to try out for All-state this year (Alabama)
potter099 2 years ago
There is a much better version of this same song directed by Moses Hogan himself...This was just...ick.
theatreroxalox 2 years ago
whoa! i was totally in this choir, i didn't know someone had posted this, aha. yeah, this wasn't one of our better songs...but i was in three allstates during my high school years and this was def. the best one. thannks to who posted this! brings back memories. =]
stonerchick33 2 years ago
Oh my the men's entry around 1:20 is aweful. Don't like the way they phrase "Keep your hand". Ok the men's solos are terrible in the entire piece, who chose them? The soprano line @ the end is a musical abortion. My dear, this is no where in the neighborhood of the "most awesome choir ever"! They are loud but look at the sheer # of singers. Someone in the alto was belting strange notes for most of the song.
bighebrewbear 2 years ago
omg i gotta agree, even though i kinda liked the additional high f at the end, but afterwards the choir RUINED it for me when they entered too early around 2:45. ugh. I love this song tho, it's one of my favorite moses hogan pieces.
darealestn09 2 years ago
ughhh i was in this FAIL choir lmao!
mezzogriffany415 2 years ago
i like the song sounds amazing men were flatt around 1:20
farfennuggen02 2 years ago 2
I really like the singing it's well done, but honestly they pick such boring songs for All State, that's why I preferred All shore back in high school, the songs were more exciting and liberal.
Linkjoy123 2 years ago
i LOVE the conductor at the beginning - his sweeping arms!
witherwings14 2 years ago
That, my dear, is the magic and wisdom of Grandville Oldham Jr.
pianosinger18 2 years ago
The tempo is too fast
dicklacock 2 years ago
IT'S NOT FAST ENOUGH!!!
witherwings14 2 years ago 2
@witherwings14 What are you talking about? This was up to tempo...
1037pm 1 year ago
At 1:55 their is a mistake the men solists come in at the wrong time.
BestshowRagtime 2 years ago
My choir went to Central Michigan State University to sing for a state competition, and a different choir sang this.. IT WAS AMAZING! This song is awesome!
ThingsHaveChangedx 2 years ago 2
The soprano high F was ear piercing.
THSChoir 2 years ago
The bass run should be more of a solo. It shouldn't sound so abrupt and forward. There should be more depth to the sound. There should be more to the bottom note as well. And the men soloists were flat. Just a few pointers. Most of the solos needed alot of improvement.
XSandXGeninX 2 years ago
you can tell that in each section their is one person that sticks out more than anyone else. im not trying to knock the performance its hard to find common ground in such a difficult peace it was great. but each section needs to sound like one singer not one singer sounding like one section. =P haha.
foshoitscam 2 years ago
That was pretty darn amazing!!!!!!!!!
FullofAwesomeness101 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
is that a black man directing and some one is stickin out in the altos
princeofcrunk20o8 2 years ago
the oklahoma all-state sang this song and i personally think it sounded better.
boltvanderhuge7 2 years ago
I am not feeling the soloists at all.
bigdigger87 2 years ago
But missouri is really good even though it is smaller than texas choir.
butterycat14 2 years ago
Texas All State is better than missouri
butterycat14 2 years ago
Texas All State is definaely the best ever!!
bigdigger87 2 years ago
i agree the soloists need some work. The girls sliding up to the notes does not express style so much as an inability to hit the notes correctly. As for the guys they would be good, but you hear mostly one and it is not blended.
Missyprissy428 2 years ago
Agreed. Very good minus the soloists
GSU1 2 years ago
my sister is in there!
klorn1 2 years ago
Great Video!!!! I sang this song with a choir of about 25, and it was great. Soloists need to learn when to sing and not sing
Soccerman44 2 years ago
you beta direct them my brotha!!! SHATTA
berniegurl07 2 years ago
too fastttt
singingsox 2 years ago
y such tall vowels in the song, its suppose 2 b sung wit a southern black accent. Still sounds good tho!!! Good Job!!! In my opinion, Missouri All State is better, lol!! :D
basementsinger 2 years ago
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hahaha the soprano squeak at the end! ( 2:41 ) sounded terrible and wasnt even in the music. dont add in extras if u cant hold them off! wow!
BARRUMUNDII 2 years ago
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BARRUMUNDII 2 years ago
omg the tenors are so sharp. why opera quality for this style?
BARRUMUNDII 2 years ago
gorgeous.
seems to drag just a little bit though. moses hogan is amazing.
the soprano part was a little weak at some parts and too strong at others. balance is a little off. ending soprano part. someone was really flat and too much vebrato. other than that. amazing!
ohnoitsdanniejay 3 years ago
WOW! I wish the Arkansas All State Choir did songs of this caliber. I love Moses Hogan.
coolkee123 3 years ago
I was in the SSAA choir that year but i loved every moment of the entire performance. This song even gave me goosebumps.
For anyone who says this song was done badly then they have no clue what they were talking about! Do they even realize just how difficult All-State is? Oh well. I loved this song and I"m glad someone posted it on here!
patissier08 3 years ago
i wish i would have done satb that year!! he was the best conductor there was during the 4 years i did all state! ahh i love it!
blueidgirl421 3 years ago
i've got a solo in this song at my school!
hugemopacopa91 3 years ago
this was to hard for my choir to sing and this version was a mess
princeofcrunk20o8 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This is horrible. What embarassment I'm sure this placed on the choir and to Moses Hogan. If you're going to put upload a performance, at least put up a good one.
skmo05 3 years ago
omg this was awesome
willdatdeal07 3 years ago
its hard for me to like this, after reading your description, having near perfect pitch. Nevertheless, you kinda have to like a moses hogan(RIP) arrangement that is, overall, performed well lol.
Dont take it personal, it's just that I thought with all the talent in Cali, a soloist
that would get nervous could be found in an All-State choir.
Good job :). I know you had fun
Drinalin 3 years ago
did anyone else hear that redic harmonic over teh choir an octave above the high note? wow that was cool
BroadwayVBtime 3 years ago
I was in this my senior year the conductor was California His name is Granville M. Oldham, jr. I wish I could still go to all stae but I'm in college now
madpistol 3 years ago
WOW!!! He's definately been all over the place. He's the best director I've ever had the priveledge of working under. Sense of humor.... ha ha let's just say its great. If anyone ever has a chance to work with this man you'll never forget his face or the expierience.
pianosinger18 3 years ago
GO ALABAMA!!!!!!!
1st: This is a Moses Hogan piece,..so of course it's gonna be kind of a challenge,..that's the point!!
Think about what the song is talking about,..the message.
2nd: The range for the S/T is really high and the range for A/B is really low
3rd: These types of songs are extremely expressive dynamic-wise
I just LOVE it!!!!!!!!
oplatre 3 years ago
Its typical for Hogan to stretch the range for SATB. His arrangements can really work the singer, as well as the director. Thats how he can make a highschool choir sound so very mature.
love it too
Drinalin 3 years ago
I know,...my high school choir sang"Elijah Rock," like at the time (this was back in 02-03) we all of the parts covered excepted for Alto Two!!
There were twenty altos in Concert Choir that year and only four of them sang A2,..and furthermore only one of them could sing the part!!!
It was a lil pathetic, now that i think back on it.
HAHAAHAHAH!!!
oplatre 3 years ago
My high school choir did, Elijah Rock, back in 02-03!
We had all of the parts nailed except for Alto Two.
There were like twenty altos in Concert Choir that year and only four were classified as A2's!!
One of the girls were my cousin and she was the only one who could sing from beginning to end comfortably!!!
It's kinda pathetic now that i think about it!!!
LOL!!!
oplatre 3 years ago
i am trying out for oklahoma all state and that is a song that you get if you make it that is why i looked it up i hope we sound this good
dramakinf134 3 years ago
who is the conductor?
KEEPDATBS 3 years ago
that is some chilling dynamics!
harrenzu 3 years ago
Therefor: Great performance, without any doubt!
ropstoob 3 years ago
First of all I agree with Thetenth.
All those so-called critics make youtube the most difficult medium ever.
Personally, I find this recording well done, technically amazing and well rehearsed.
But I also think it's too neat, clean, and not-alive.
Therefor; what's comment worth in a situation that's typically about taste. I'd have loved to hear some soul in this song; but again; who am I?
ropstoob 3 years ago
you are ropstoob
Drinalin 3 years ago
LOVE THIS SONG! Though you've just made me even more nervous about trying out for all state.
OutsideGalaxy 3 years ago
um i would agree with tommyboy... i have sang in several all states in florida and this was a lovely performance. interpretation is just that, interpretted. dont knock it until you can do better and definitely unless you are THE moses hogan.
montannaleigh 3 years ago 3
Wow... we sure do have alot of professional directors in this segment. OH and whoever said this group sucks... Lets get one thing straight, Alabma all-state DOES NOT suck...
Tommyboychuckels 3 years ago
The only thing that I don't like about this is that we, some of the females, messed up at the end bc he changed it only letting the soloists sing and not everyone. But other than that I think we did awesome.
herbrokenwings 3 years ago
as a singer and someone who has performed this song, the inflection is not correct within the womens sections. Too much pronunciation in some parts, not enough in others. Tones are TOO open and not enough intensity, which is different from volume. I also personally knew Moses Hogan and dont believe he would have been overcome with joy during this interpretation...what was that screech in the obligato???
1KINGHILL 3 years ago
Everyone's a critic. lol
thetenth 3 years ago
seriously
tuiteleleapaga 3 years ago
THIS SONG IS WAY TOO SLOW. Oh my god people learn how to sing a damn spiritual. How boring...if anyone here heard this song the tempo its SUPPOSED to be...you guys would be blown away. And the sopranos were off, but not loud enough. This director sucks. Horrible interpretation. He should stay away from spirituals and stick to other kinds of music. For real.
jndrsn4986 3 years ago
I love the soprano high note at the end! Thats crazy, it doesnt even sound like a human sound lol. Great job this choir
satBASS 3 years ago
This choir is so shaky! i like the song but the choir i would give a 6 overall performance
lavelle8686 3 years ago
somone knows the director`s name?
excellent interpretation!!!!
gjfr777 3 years ago
this was so much fun. we did it way too fast i thought though.
eclepsee 3 years ago
I think it was a good tempo. It's the director's feel. I am a director so I understand this tempo very well. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE BY THE ALL STATE CHOIR. I new Moses Hogan personally and He would think this was super if he was here to hear this performance.
BigIng02 3 years ago
I love the attempt at the soparanos ending, but in my opion, she/they are overblowing it. I do understand that you need more air to reach higher notes, but not more volume. Everything else was awsome though :-)
OldTrumpet12210 3 years ago
This sounds so good!
dex (zm)
dexzion 3 years ago
Brilliant. I love the sopranos at the end.
TwilightAddicted 3 years ago
ugh I want to do this song so badddd!!!!!!
honestlyfunnayx3 3 years ago
my only thing is the needed more "d" sound on hold especially at the end but other than that they did good and i hear hear the bass section fine. very good dark round tone also the the hints of the vibrato helped make this spiritual sound darker also which is good.
x3weslynnnx3 3 years ago
Ending consonants is a very contentious topic among choir directors. I've heard good arguments both ways. Alabama definitely has their share of tremendous voices. However, I would quibble with tuning in a few places...not overall, but many single notes throughout the piece are out of tune. Still, a very fine choir. I think the Oklahoma choirs I was in was at this level, and still haven't heard a close second to Texas (I still haven't heard California All-State, however).
SuperDaveOkie 3 years ago
I negro Spirituals the ending sounds are not that important. The "D" is sound because I hear HOL DON. Spirituals that are performed should be done according to the text of the song. Therefore, song ending sounds are not that important in this style of music. I am a director who always do a spiritual at contest because I want my children to be exposed to all types of music. My choir do spirituals as well as they do classical music.
BigIng02 3 years ago
i love the high soprano at the end. just brill. while it does have parts i dont like and a non-existant bass section: i love it. and love moses hogan. so yay!
retoricalanswers 3 years ago
2 out of 5
johngarner3 3 years ago
i did this in the NJ All State in 2006 and im not gonna lie...although NJ is usually one of the strongest states within ACDA, you guys definitely did better than we did, especially w/ the bass and sop sections. they sound more legit.
teaandcakeordeath 3 years ago
I was in the NJ All State Choir of 2006....we didn't sing this song. Maybe you were in a previous year and are getting confused.
AlexaKane 3 years ago
non existant bass
Boneod21 3 years ago
Why are the tenors so pitchy? Sopranos need way more depth.Its also a shade too fast. Just ok to me realy...
onelly1 3 years ago
they're not really that good for an all-state choir. arkansas is much better! i'm going to be in it this year!!!
fontasura 4 years ago
Who is the director of the choir and can I get a copy of that Sheet Music?
Maurice0386 4 years ago
I'm in Olympia Highschool choir and our bass section is better. There are 80 in all the choirs combined. We have almost no one.
XSandXGeninX 4 years ago
Im a member of Kenwood Academy HIGH SCHOOL concert choir... and there are about 80 us...we sing this song much better...and we're black..lol
ShannaBanana625 4 years ago
shannabanana...good time for the race card...always a good excuse or just something to use....umm i'm apart of the trf high school..in Minnesota....and we are also very good on this song...we have 1 black girl....we are all white...lol
ChazMichaelMichaels 4 years ago
before you get all testy babe...let it be known that its rare when people of color sing classical music and sing it DAMN WELL... so yea...second i was j/k..yea...so...i will be in Minnesota Feb 8-12 on tour with my HS CC...hit me up and we'll see...lol
ShannaBanana625 4 years ago
How in the world is this a classical piece? If you are going to say something try not to be so ignorant.
Oh yeah, I am black.
Deeneaus 4 years ago
I didnt say that Hold On by Moses Hogan is a classical piece... I def. know that this is a spiritual...so thanks. Second,I was complementing my own race which few people tend to do where I live. Third. I said it was rare when yo find an African American high school chorus that can sing music at this level and sing it well... So Im afraid you are the one who is ignorant sir/madame, because you didnt read (or comprehend) my previous posting for some strange reason. Thanx and have a blessed day.
ShannaBanana625 4 years ago
Um, please take time to go back and read over what you said. You implied that "Hold On" is a spiritual. Or can you explain why you randomly bring up classical music when talking about a Moses Hogan piece?
I sing classical pieces just fine, and know quite a few other all black choirs that can as well. Don't know where you're getting that from.
And I have no idea how you are complementing the African American race. You basically imply we are inferior in regards to classical music.
Deeneaus 4 years ago
Look hun...Im not going to keep going back and forth with you so here it is... I know what I wrote fuck, I wrote it. Im not remedial, which seems to be what you are implying about me. Now I am def. complementing our race because this music is difficult, I have seen it, and alot of people cannot comprehend the music, black, white, latino, purple, russian, whatever. And obviously y would you comment if you knew it wasnt classical. Just mind your businessIf you have anything else to say message me.
ShannaBanana625 4 years ago
New Jersey's all-state choir was absolutely amazing this year
tCrOMez1990 4 years ago
I believe that's Granville Oldham directing? He's a BADASS!! He directed the Alabama TTBB back in 1996, when I was there. As for the soloists...remember, they were HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS..they did the best they could..and it still sounded good. Alabama has the best All-State Choirs, so you all quit hatin'...I live in Texas and saw an All-State Choir and I wasn't impressed....Go 'Bama.
jle322 4 years ago
my dad was apart of that choir :)
JASMINE722 4 years ago
Soloist were so flat on "ON"
ASVocals1 4 years ago
soloist did mess up a bit.... but I've heard such better bass sections from all-state choirs.... even florida had a better bass section and they let anyone in. I might even go ahead and say that the tenors are really there either O_O.
sounds nice though ;D
vkiernan 4 years ago
"I might even go ahead and say that the tenors aren't really there either O_O." *
vkiernan 4 years ago
such good sound. ill give you the fact that Honor choir's especially do not get that much time to rehearse. but your soloists screwed up.
dsnare2100 4 years ago
Interesting. I have heard this song many times. Very well done. I was more fascinated by the director's conducting techniques.
lty2k84 4 years ago
The composer rocked this shit. I love how he just walked off the podium at the end.
Deeneaus 4 years ago
it's a conducter ;D
vkiernan 4 years ago
Ahaha. I'm sorrrrry. I'm sort of new to the choir scene.
Deeneaus 4 years ago
As a member of Alabama All-state choir I am truly impressed, this has to be one of all-states best aside from Manly Men that song just kicks ass.
studdedgloryxo 4 years ago
psh. texas all-state is so much > this. granted, you may very well be the second best. Last year's "Conversion of Saul" would have ripped your soul to shreds and sprinkled them confetti style onto the lake of tears your body would have shed before your shredding.
truly. truly.
theevmeister 4 years ago
why do all these Texas people come and bash other people's all states. All All States are good, why do you people constantly think you guys are better, our All State Choirs here in New York are just as good as yours in Texas
SUNSNARE06 4 years ago
i love how everyone on here thinks they know everything about choral music. this recording is awesome. i've heard other all-state choirs on youtube, and this ones definately in the top, probably the best. this recording has something called culture, for those of you from these stuck up music schools who think everything's gotta sound like opera, you wouldn't know anything about culture.
crimsonpride08 4 years ago 2
This is pretty good but it could have used more soulful soulful soloists. and the sopranos were shreaking in some parts too... sorry
COALLSTATE07 4 years ago
Good ensemble. Bad individuals.
musicmaker2010 4 years ago
I would characterize it the other way around. Not that I'd call this ensemble bad. I heard some tremendous voices, but the lower end of talent in this choir is worse than most All-State choirs I've heard. Usually isn't this kind of discrepancy in talent. Still, this ensemble is probably better than the college ensemble they'll go to next.
SuperDaveOkie 4 years ago
Sing it Children All you hater shut up That is a beautiful blend of voices
ericjohneric 4 years ago
The arrangement is too busy and it takes away from the song. Nice attempt though.
and4what 4 years ago
oops i mean i agree with hoboinabox haha
tjd89 4 years ago
I am a graduate of Benedict College in Columbia SC and I think this song makes me think of Heaven love it
lynntwill06 4 years ago
I wish the Sopranos weren't so shrilly. And the tenors "Well my brother hold on" one tenor was definitely trying too hard. Maybe the tempo could have been slower..
Really full sound, though.
hoboinabox 4 years ago
totally agree =/
tjd89 4 years ago
Norfolk State University is singing this song this year too. They have the freshmen doing the solos and they sound WONDERFUL. i'll try to record it the next time they perform and I'll post a link to it.
addicted2yellow 4 years ago
That was awesome. gave me chills. i miss choir. :(
bgrosval 4 years ago
same :*(
tunaladin 4 years ago
Check out the 2007 Alabama All-State SATB choir singing Dorven Dalai!
MusicalDev 4 years ago
why cant people just shut up and take in a beautiful piece of music disregard its intentions and just take it in. realease your hostility.
borta19 4 years ago 2
I truly do hope that you'll change your views of other people, because its wrong that your doing this to other people of other color! Racism should be dead by now, but I see that idiots like you still believe in it... Your wrong, and God DOES NOT LIKE IT when people JUDGE other people!
BamaBaritone2010 4 years ago
I'm not interested in anything you have to say you graham cracka. You keep on kissin up to white folk and see where it gets ya Tobby.
bmer817 4 years ago
Don't get it twisted my misguided brotha. I did not disrespect Gods work. Even the heathens sing of his glory. My comments were directed to the infidels. You may have been brainwashed to believe everything that comes out of "massa's" mouth is gospel. However you need to free your mind. Take your hands off the plow and stop protecting these perpetrators.
bmer817 4 years ago
Spirituals are one of the most misunderstood genres of music. They often get mistaken for gospel music with offensive dialects. In fact, during a time when talking to another slave called for punishments, spirituals served as a kind of coded newspaper, even planning escape routes (i.e. Wade in the Water).
SuperDaveOkie 4 years ago
Well Super Dork, if you would have read my previous comment you would have seen that I had referred to the music as a "Negro Spiritual". It was the Tom who suggested it was gospel. I was merely using his terminology. It's amazing how you pasty faced idiots love to educate others on their own culture.
bmer817 4 years ago
I find it interesting to note that the only racist comments in this thread are yours. As if somehow only "Crackers" and "Pasty faced idiots" are capable of racism. Racism is ugly regardless of who thinks they have a privileged position of racial superiority. Enjoy your vacation in Ignoreland.
SuperDaveOkie 4 years ago
Retribution my dear sir. RETRIBUTION!!!
bmer817 4 years ago
I just discovered this video, and I am an Alabama All-State Musician. I moved here in the summer of '05, and became a member of the Alabama All-State Middle School Mixed Choir of '06, then I moved on to the '07 High School TTBB Choir.
BamaBaritone2010 4 years ago
Gospels, on the other hand, were made MANY years later, and are used in traditional black churches. I'm not trying to be mean in any kind of way, but I don't agree with contemporary services, I attend traditional services myself, having been an Episcopalian all my life.
BamaBaritone2010 4 years ago
I am a composer/arranger, clinician, pianist, and a Baritone in the Alabama Chamber Choir. I am also an African American, and I agree with the other people that you utterly disrespected!! SuperDaveOkie was right with his difference of African American Spirituals and Gospels. African American Spirituals were used back in slavery times as songs or beats that they would make up that referred to their everyday thoughts, to what they planned to do to get away from the slave-holders.
BamaBaritone2010 4 years ago
You might find it interesting to know that Moses Hogan didn't really like modern Gospel music, so it sounds like you and he were pretty much on the same page.
matts156 4 years ago
Missouri's all-state choir rocks!! WOOO! check out our vids!
crboemler 4 years ago
whoops, wrong video! disregard last comment. this was awesome! i was supposed to be init but got sick the day before... :(
twistedmikey 4 years ago
How dare you turn a noble Negro Spiritual into this "Easy Listening" crap. I rebuke you crackers into the pit of hell
bmer817 4 years ago
... ok
twistedmikey 4 years ago
Do you even now what Moses Hogan was all about? I am an African America music educator and I know why this music is the way it is. Research before you point fingers and call names.
jrucker13 4 years ago
Look here Uncle Thomas. I know the meaning of the song you condescending cracker ass licker.
bmer817 4 years ago