Claire klein - chorale alto "Light of a clear blue morning"
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phil reilly - choral tenor "for the future"
lisa drost - chorale alto "The bluebird" |
| I've always loved choral music and I've loved this piece since the first time I sang it. To this day, it gives me great peace, hope and strength. Regardless of my present circumstance, my mind can float free. . .weightless. . .limitless . . . The lake lay blue below the hill O'er it, as I looked, there flew Across the waters, cold and still A bird whose wings were palest blue The sky above was blue at last The sky beneath me blue in blue A moment, ere the bird had passed It caught his image as he flew | |
kevin navis - chorale tenor
"God bless america"
by Irving berlin
sung by kate smith
| When we sang our national anthem and the South Africa national anthem at Orchestra Hall and on tour I had tears every time. I would give the world for the Chorale to perform this piece. I probably wouldn’t be able to sing!! Here's the story about this song, from a friend: "The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans. "This was the era before television when radio shows were HUGE and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith. "Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring (sound familiar?). She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and dusted off a song that he had written but never published, 22 years before - in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from it. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts has received millions of dollars in royalties from this song. "This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first time and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, “You're In The Army Now.” "To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be during those years of hardship and worry... and for many generations of Americans to follow." | |
peter dimock - vox singer
"Across the vast, eternal sky"
Ola Gjeilo
sung by the CHoir of Royal Holloway
| I love the tranquillity this piece promotes in me. | |
JUDY ARNSTEIN - CHORALE ALTO
"Bansull" by frank Havroy
sung by ensemble 96
kjetil almenning, conductor
| I discovered this lovely Norwegian lullaby on MPR last year, and I've probably listened to it hundreds of times since. I have always found it to be comforting and soothing, and I can never seem to listen to it just once! | |
Paul paddock - CHORALE Bass
"shenandoah"
sung by chanticleer
arr. by michael bartholomew & james erb
| This is one of my favorite pieces because of the lush warm harmonies and it reminds me of where I grew up. I sang bass to this in District VIII choir at Menchville High School in Virginia freshman year front row and center--talk about being wrapped in an intense chasmic blanket of a 200+voice sound! To me it fits the description of how you'd feel about the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains' nature/colors, and indeed you'd hear those echoes. Once you visit even once, it'll always be a part of you. | |
JIM HILD - chorale bass
"Auch mit gedämpften, schwachen Stimmen"
by j.s. bach
| This aria comes from Bach's cantata #36. I love the way Bach sets this text and his use of the violin. I have always found this text and this music uplifting. The lilting 3/4 rhythm is especially fitting. Here is an English translation. Even with subdued, weak voices God's majesty is honoured. for if only the spirit resounds, there is such a cry to him that he himself hears it in heaven | |
CINDY BERGSTROM - PRELUDE CONDUCTOR
"True Colors"
by Cyndi Lauper, sung by Camden Voices
| This popped up on Facebook when I was first adjusting to the pandemic. I found the simple message and harmonies very soothing. I immediately thought of the kids I work with and how some of them may be struggling with who they are. Let those true colors shine! | |
GLORIA FREDKOVE - CHORALE ALTO
AVE MARIA
Sung by Barbra Streisand
| The Ave Maria is a wonderful prayer, and in these difficult times, it is hopeful and filled with faith. | |
HEATHER HOOD - CHORALE SOPRANO
O Salutaris Hostia
Erik Esenvalds
| I was introduced to this piece by my friend, Tim Sawyer, who sings in the South Dakota Chorale. I love the ethereal beauty of the piece, the calming influence of interwoven harmonies, and the call to the Divine to give us strength in difficult times. | |
LOLA WATSON - CHORALE SOPRANO
Finale of "MeFistofele"
ARRIGO BOITO
| One of the most moving scenes I performed with the San Francisco Opera Chorus! The triumph of good over evil- the redemption of a soul wanting to be saved! | |
SCOTT CHAMBERLAIN & DANIEL bridston
CHORALE singers
"Cantique de jean Racine" Scott: "Kathy programmed this piece while while we were still at Macalester. The work brings to mind his famous Requiem, but in a five-minute sound bite. This work seared my heart the first time I heard it, and its spirit of Divine Love moves me every time I hear it." Daniel: "This work never fails to fill me with peace, and I am always astounded by its sheer beauty." | |
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