My sister was in the choir and I got to see this live. It was SO incredible! It's hard to describe how much soul and energy there was during the performance, and we in the audience went absolutely CRAZY at the end. I will never forget this.
Came back here to revisit the past. I remember being on the brink of tears after finishing this song. The praise after singing this song was overwhelming and I am so glad to have been part of the soprano section that year.
I sang this song (a different version for a girl's chorus) for my all region choir, and i'm a soprano one so i got to sing the really long amen, and i could feel the soul going through that song. it's the best song i've ever sang for any choir ever.
Hello! I'm one of the sopranos who performed as part of this amazing choir and personally, I love the way this was done. This song in general was my favorite to perform-- especially the ending. During rehearsals, we had a great time with it. Yes, it was very hard to do, but worth it and fun, nonetheless. And thank you, veronson, for the warning. We appreciate it :)
I sang as a bass in the choir!! This song was, and may be for a LONG time my favorite and the most moving moment I've ever experienced as a musician. I cried on more than one occasion singin this durin rehearsal!
It's actually a compliment that you all think they were holding that note. I know how beautifully they "staggered" only because I was a chorus student in High School for 4 years. The clapping was encouragement... I thought it was a nice touch to the performance.
This was beautifully done and as one in the audience, it was incredible to hear live. The "girls" did not hold the note - they alternated and synchronized their breathing perfectly in order to hold the solid note. That's what people were clapping for.
this is one of the most icon choir songs I've ever heard and sang, miss my own days in the Christ Tabernacle Choir in NY, but that's OK, I get to enjoy it here when I want to hear it! This choir does quite a lovely job! How lovely to see so many youth partaking in serving the Lord Jesus!
Love, love loved the ending; especially because it's my favorite part of the song when the sopranos hold that very high and resounding note. Beautiful, simply beautiful. To see High School children singing Total Praise was Awe....inspiring. #togodbetheglory
This truely touched me! I love this song and this chior did the song justice, especially the saprono's at the end that gave me CHILLS! perfection despite what anyone says, it was BEAUTIFUL! wow wow wow
Wunnerful, wunnerful, It takes a Big Village. Thank you very much. It was a great experience to watch and hear. Oklahoma City needs something like this. :-)
I haven't been here to check things out for some time. It looks like for the most part this video is still getting plenty of views and that's really good. I just noticed that Elliot Maleski mentioned that his choir had done the same song with the same conductor. I hope someone was able to make a video of this and will post it sometime.
I was in this as an alto! :D Honestly, I really think this should've ended the show rather than Kyrie, but oh well. This is definitely one of my favorite songs, and like...man, it was such a rush. On the last note the sopranos had: Yes, I can confirm it was staggered. Good gracious, I can't imagine just holding it out that long O.o; Also, the reason for the clapping was because, according to the conductor, that's something they'd just do in gospel churches. She was raised in the south.
Goodness, I came to see this video of our performance and was rather baffled by the comments. I was a soprano in this choir, and to clarify the confusion about the last note, I'm pretty sure that the sopranos were stagger breathing (or at least myself and all the sopranos around me). The conductor was indeed strict, but she nevertheless was very careful in keeping our voices healthy. It's quite disturbing to see how the song we as a group enjoyed so much is being misinterpreted...
Oh, the conductor did have something to do with this. I initially questioned the decision when she told us that this was her plan, but I actually came to really enjoy the end result.
Just wanted to post this comment. I just saw a video of an all male choir doing this same song. And the ending was the same as it was here, but twice. The note held on the word "amen" may not have been as long as the soprano section did here, but I am sure the men who did this same ending in the other video i just watched could have gone just as long and probably even longer being they were older men. My guess is they had the tenor section do that part of the ending. My point is that the tenor sections of any choir doing this song are just as capable and sound just as good as the soprano section. Also, it makes just as much musical sense to have the tenor section hold that note on "amen" by themselves as any other section. The video i saw proved that men can do that note just as well. I realize and understand that this video in the past year has caused some major debate and so forth. I'm not here to try and stir that up again, not my intention. I'm just simply saying that there is a video on youtube now that shows it doesn't have to be the soprano section that does this note by theirselves. And once again I'm not trying to put down or disrespect the choir director here. But I had heard she mentioned to someone that it doesn't make musical sense to have the men section hold that last note by themselves if the choir conductor chooses to have a section do that. With all due respect to her, that is not true and she was wrong to say that. The video was done by the singing churchmen of Oklahoma. Dr.Galvan night want to check that video out and see what this video shows before she makes any statements like that. Anyway, I just felt I needed to post this.
I'm actually hoping to see some comments from more sopranos who participated in this choir performance, just to hear a soprano give her opinion of the last note ending of this song. I'm curious how they felt about it. Was it hard to do? Just things like that in general. I realize some negative comments have been made. I'm not about that. I think the sopranos did great carrying that last note. I wish they didn't have to, but they did great just the same.
As for the sopranos, I'm not sure i understand the controversy. I can guarantee that all of the sopranos were staggering. The fact that not everybody noticed praises how well they achieved this! Twistedsoul, and others. I certainly respect all of your opinions if this isn't your favorite way of ending the song. However for anybody in that room (this is personal accounts of dozens and dozens of people), the effect of that sustained not was electrifying! Everyone cheered AND gripped their seat!!!
Just a small comment. Dr. Galvan will be conducting the 2015 pmea district 5 chorus in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania this October 29 through the 31st. I am wondering if this song will be one of the songs to be performed. I have not been able to get any program information about this or any of the other songs that will be done by that choir. Again, just a curious comment.
The drums were totally disruptive and distracting. All else was awesome and musical. The setting in Boston Symphony Hall is nice. They have a beautiful pipe organ. Too bad that you chose not to use it. Thanks for posting.
I just watched this video and another video of the same song. While I think this video is good, I like the ending of the other video much better. I applaud the sopranos in this video for their role in the ending here, but I honestly didn't like the prolonged ending here for lack of a better way to say it. I feel it takes away from the song, just my opinion. I'm sure the conductor had some thing to do with that. But i like the ending of the other video much better, not as drawn out as this one.
I sang in the All State choir in Mass in 2006!!! .... now i feel old. But wow the Holy Spirit was there in this performance. HALLELUJAH!!!
My sister was in the choir and I got to see this live. It was SO incredible! It's hard to describe how much soul and energy there was during the performance, and we in the audience went absolutely CRAZY at the end. I will never forget this.
Came back here to revisit the past. I remember being on the brink of tears after finishing this song. The praise after singing this song was overwhelming and I am so glad to have been part of the soprano section that year.
I sang this song (a different version for a girl's chorus) for my all region choir, and i'm a soprano one so i got to sing the really long amen, and i could feel the soul going through that song. it's the best song i've ever sang for any choir ever.
i was in this choir! OMG THE RUSH THIS SONG GAVE ME! HOLY MOLY
Hello! I'm one of the sopranos who performed as part of this amazing choir and personally, I love the way this was done. This song in general was my favorite to perform-- especially the ending. During rehearsals, we had a great time with it. Yes, it was very hard to do, but worth it and fun, nonetheless. And thank you, veronson, for the warning. We appreciate it :)
This is very impacting. This is how I imagine heaven will sound like with everyone singing together to our king. Beautiful!
I sang as a bass in the choir!! This song was, and may be for a LONG time my favorite and the most moving moment I've ever experienced as a musician. I cried on more than one occasion singin this durin rehearsal!
so privileged to have worked with Janet for several years in the Ithaca children's choir!
It's actually a compliment that you all think they were holding that note. I know how beautifully they "staggered" only because I was a chorus student in High School for 4 years. The clapping was encouragement... I thought it was a nice touch to the performance.
Wow 😮 one of the beautiful versions!
This was beautifully done and as one in the audience, it was incredible to hear live. The "girls" did not hold the note - they alternated and synchronized their breathing perfectly in order to hold the solid note. That's what people were clapping for.
this is one of the most icon choir songs I've ever heard and sang, miss my own days in the Christ Tabernacle Choir in NY, but that's OK, I get to enjoy it here when I want to hear it! This choir does quite a lovely job! How lovely to see so many youth partaking in serving the Lord Jesus!
I get to sing this with the same conductor from this video on Jan 9 for PMEA District 8 Choir. Needless to say, I am very excited!
Thats some amazing staggering at the end
I dearly love this anthem. This choir is fantastic!
Love, love loved the ending; especially because it's my favorite part of the song when the sopranos hold that very high and resounding note. Beautiful, simply
beautiful. To see High School
children singing Total Praise was
Awe....inspiring. #togodbetheglory
Janet Galvan is such an amazing and inspiring conducting. I'm so happy I got to work with her in grad school!
Those sopranos👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽❤❤❤
The voices of God touch my heart in all colors , i'ts all about who we Praise the one only GOD , we all share the same blood line .
This truely touched me! I love this song and this chior did the song justice, especially the saprono's at the end that gave me CHILLS! perfection despite what anyone says, it was BEAUTIFUL! wow wow wow
Fantastic!!! God is Good all the time
Wunnerful, wunnerful, It takes a Big Village. Thank you very much. It was a great experience to watch and hear. Oklahoma City needs something like this. :-)
All Good memories are here:,)
I haven't been here to check things out for some time. It looks like for the most part this video is still getting plenty of views and that's really good. I just noticed that Elliot Maleski mentioned that his choir had done the same song with the same conductor. I hope someone was able to make a video of this and will post it sometime.
Incredible! I love it, Dr. G.
I was in this as an alto! :D Honestly, I really think this should've ended the show rather than Kyrie, but oh well. This is definitely one of my favorite songs, and like...man, it was such a rush.
On the last note the sopranos had: Yes, I can confirm it was staggered. Good gracious, I can't imagine just holding it out that long O.o; Also, the reason for the clapping was because, according to the conductor, that's something they'd just do in gospel churches. She was raised in the south.
beautiful
Goodness, I came to see this video of our performance and was rather baffled by the comments. I was a soprano in this choir, and to clarify the confusion about the last note, I'm pretty sure that the sopranos were stagger breathing (or at least myself and all the sopranos around me). The conductor was indeed strict, but she nevertheless was very careful in keeping our voices healthy. It's quite disturbing to see how the song we as a group enjoyed so much is being misinterpreted...
Loved it.
Oh, the conductor did have something to do with this. I initially questioned the decision when she told us that this was her plan, but I actually came to really enjoy the end result.
The tempo is a little too fast
Amazing. Simply amazing.
A little too fast on the tempo though!
If the tempo was slower, this would have been perfect...
Just wanted to post this comment. I just saw a video of an all male choir doing this same song. And the ending was the same as it was here, but twice. The note held on the word "amen" may not have been as long as the soprano section did here, but I am sure the men who did this same ending in the other video i just watched could have gone just as long and probably even longer being they were older men. My guess is they had the tenor section do that part of the ending. My point is that the tenor sections of any choir doing this song are just as capable and sound just as good as the soprano section. Also, it makes just as much musical sense to have the tenor section hold that note on "amen" by themselves as any other section. The video i saw proved that men can do that note just as well. I realize and understand that this video in the past year has caused some major debate and so forth. I'm not here to try and stir that up again, not my intention. I'm just simply saying that there is a video on youtube now that shows it doesn't have to be the soprano section that does this note by theirselves. And once again I'm not trying to put down or disrespect the choir director here. But I had heard she mentioned to someone that it doesn't make musical sense to have the men section hold that last note by themselves if the choir conductor chooses to have a section do that. With all due respect to her, that is not true and she was wrong to say that. The video was done by the singing churchmen of Oklahoma. Dr.Galvan night want to check that video out and see what this video shows before she makes any statements like that. Anyway, I just felt I needed to post this.
It's too bad that the gorgeous and majestic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ above and behind them wasn't used as that would've been wonderful indeed.
I'm actually hoping to see some comments from more sopranos who participated in this choir performance, just to hear a soprano give her opinion of the last note ending of this song. I'm curious how they felt about it. Was it hard to do? Just things like that in general. I realize some negative comments have been made. I'm not about that. I think the sopranos did great carrying that last note. I wish they didn't have to, but they did great just the same.
As for the sopranos, I'm not sure i understand the controversy. I can guarantee that all of the sopranos were staggering. The fact that not everybody noticed praises how well they achieved this! Twistedsoul, and others. I certainly respect all of your opinions if this isn't your favorite way of ending the song. However for anybody in that room (this is personal accounts of dozens and dozens of people), the effect of that sustained not was electrifying! Everyone cheered AND gripped their seat!!!
I am indeed wondering why people are complaining so much... I thought the end result was fantastic.
Just a small comment. Dr. Galvan will be conducting the 2015 pmea district 5 chorus in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania this October 29 through the 31st. I am wondering if this song will be one of the songs to be performed. I have not been able to get any program information about this or any of the other songs that will be done by that choir. Again, just a curious comment.
Ikr?
The drums were totally disruptive and distracting. All else was awesome and musical. The setting in Boston Symphony Hall is nice. They have a beautiful pipe organ. Too bad that you chose not to use it. Thanks for posting.
I sent you a message in your inbox. Please read when you have a moment,thanks.
I just watched this video and another video of the same song. While I think this video is good, I like the ending of the other video much better. I applaud the sopranos in this video for their role in the ending here, but I honestly didn't like the prolonged ending here for lack of a better way to say it. I feel it takes away from the song, just my opinion. I'm sure the conductor had some thing to do with that. But i like the ending of the other video much better, not as drawn out as this one.