Years ago, I worked for a local cable company in southern California and we videotaped a choral concert by a prominent high school in the area. They performed this song as part of their show. It is the one song that has stuck with me since then. Simply beautiful.
About 30 years ago I sang this exact or almost exactly the same arrangement at a choral festival. It was one that has always stayed with me. My teen daughter also just sang a version of this song in a similar choral festival. This is the closest I've found to the way we sang it and absolutely beautifully done. Because of this song, I always wanted to see the place. You can almost envision it in your mind hearing this beauty. Hats off to the conductor and singers. I'm now chronically ill and will never get to see it and my disease has stolen my voice, but this has brought me to tears and memories flooding back. Thank you
Excellent, excellent. This was very good. My favorite, and the best solo piece was performed by Earl Wrightson many decades ago. A Broadway baritone who hosted many TV and radio music shows from the 1940's - 1960's.
I agree. This is about my favorite choral song and take it's performance very seriously. This performance sets the bar VERY high. Thankfully it's audio recording was quite good so that you can hear just how well they voiced it. Also the set of choir members is really wonderfully constituted as a group, so that it's a treat just to watch them.
ABSOLUTELY AGREE! It is SOOOOOOO difficult to sing IN PITCH while sing at a really low volume! (You're OBVIOUSLY someone who should KNOW about that, the way you mentioned - and the fact you mentioned it at all. VERY GOOD!)
we song this in high school .. its been almost 40 years.... .. it just came into my mind and i had to hear it. it was so beautiful and touching then.. and still beautiful now.
I sang the exact same arrangement in a choir over years, and even if it was a pain to study, it sounded so good our conductor regularly shed tears during rehearsals and concerts.
I love this song and this rendition is beautifully preformed. My love of this song comes from my own history with it when I was a young man and a member of the Massachusetts All State Choir. We performed it in Boston Symphony Hall to a full house in the spring of 1970.
This song was one of my father's most favorites. And it's one of mine. I can't help but think of my dear late father whenever I hear it. This performance was beautiful. Thank you.
Arrangement by James Erb, choral director, for 40 years, at University of Richmond, Virginia. He arranged it for the University choir on tour in Europe in 1971.
I’ve played this song in numerous ensembles throughout my high school and college careers. It’s my very favorite song and I sang it to my daughter as a lullaby every night when she was a baby. This brings back so many memories and makes me weepy. Beautiful performance.
i was only in choir for one year in high school so i could go on the choir trip and i am not a good vocalist. but we performed this and i really loved it. 15 years later, it knocks my 7 month old son to sleep every time 🙂
i remember singing this my freshman year of high school. this song is truly a masterpiece and one of the top songs I have ever sang in my long choir career by far.
We were supposed to sing this for our choir concert in the spring, before it was cancelled for COVID. just being a bit nostalgic :) (also this is absolutely lovely)
Quelle magnifique interprétation! Une pièce beaucoup plus difficile à chanter qu'elle n'en a l'air, mais ici rendue à la perfection et avec la fluidité d'une rivière qui coule son chemin... Merci!
Truly beautiful!!! The tradition continues. They used to come to my high school and perform for the music cluster (Booker T. Washington high school Dallas Texas). They are still awesome 35 years later....
I keep coming back to this arrangement and this video. So beautiful! First heard and sang it in college 35 years ago. Such a gorgeous blend and all your amazing voices. Wow. Hope you're all still following your incredible talents at least in a small way. Music is such a transformational gift isn't it? Thank you for sharing
I first heard this James Erb arrangement in a recording/video of the Choir of the West made at Pacific Lutheran University in the 1960s. It is stunningly beautiful. The UNTC choir performs it perfectly. Thank you.
It is a most haunting piece of music. As an Englishman , who has never been to America. This sums-up to me the birth of of a young vibrant nation that; inspite of its faults, contributes so much to the world . I do have an affinity to America. More so , then Europe. Then I did live in England during WW2....
This school is much better than most of the Ivy League and other universities across the country in their music program. I sang this particular arrangement 40 years when I was in college. We were good, but not nearly as good as this group. Beautiful.
I feel the same way! Thankfully, after many years far distant, I live a bit closer now. Definitely on the near term list for a trip. I will put on headphones and listen to this gorgeous performance while standing at the banks.
Perfection. My HS select choir rehearsed this song many many times, but never got it polished enough for performance. I've been looking for an arrangement close to the one we tried to sing and this is it. Finally, after 22 long years, my searching is done. Thank you so much.
Discovered this song after losing someone close and it was and still is my go to solace ! So beautifully performed and damn near perfect! Bless this lot !🙏
I’ve sung this a few times; this is a great rendition. I’ve asked myself why it is such an effective piece, and I think it’s because of the construction of long, rolling lines that imitate the river; the lower lines in particular. The soprano canon is what really elevates it though. It’s a simple piece but vocally really challenging for unity of intonation. Hats off to the tenors and sops here for vowel matching at the end, which is not easy to pull off! And in case all this sounds too technical - it brought tears to my eyes.
A beautiful rendition of this and a stunning performance! I would love to have the lyrics of this one. This piece is unique in that you rarely hear the same lyrics. If someone would be so kind as to print the lyrics I would be most grateful. Excellent work, Univerisity of North Texas A Cappella Choir and Director Hightower!!! Most excellent indeed!!
Absolutely beautiful!! I love this piece. Not sure what year it was but one of the choirs I sang in did this piece as SAA. Absolutely gorgeous music from this choir...and A Cappella!! Bravo!!!
Play this at my funeral and ill wake up and shed a tear
😂😂😂 I love this
pro trick : you can watch movies on Flixzone. I've been using them for watching a lot of movies these days.
@Edwin Zaid Yup, I have been watching on flixzone for years myself :D
@Edwin Zaid yea, I have been using Flixzone for since december myself :)
@Edwin Zaid yup, have been using Flixzone for since december myself =)
Years ago, I worked for a local cable company in southern California and we videotaped a choral concert by a prominent high school in the area. They performed this song as part of their show. It is the one song that has stuck with me since then. Simply beautiful.
About 30 years ago I sang this exact or almost exactly the same arrangement at a choral festival. It was one that has always stayed with me. My teen daughter also just sang a version of this song in a similar choral festival. This is the closest I've found to the way we sang it and absolutely beautifully done. Because of this song, I always wanted to see the place. You can almost envision it in your mind hearing this beauty. Hats off to the conductor and singers. I'm now chronically ill and will never get to see it and my disease has stolen my voice, but this has brought me to tears and memories flooding back. Thank you
Me too. 1991, Washington All State Choir.
Excellent, excellent. This was very good. My favorite, and the best solo piece was performed by Earl Wrightson many decades ago. A Broadway baritone who hosted many TV and radio music shows from the 1940's - 1960's.
a reverb or echo effect...brilliant
Came here for the same reason. It has been a little over 20 years for me. Hope you are well
Also me!! It was 1991, Delaware All State Choir.
A love for a woman that could never be. A heart broken that could never heal.
We live in a
Fallen World
The unity of intonation, phrasing, tone color and precision at the beginning by both ladies and men is stunningly exemplary! Bravo!
I agree. This is about my favorite choral song and take it's performance very seriously. This performance sets the bar VERY high. Thankfully it's audio recording was quite good so that you can hear just how well they voiced it. Also the set of choir members is really wonderfully constituted as a group, so that it's a treat just to watch them.
ABSOLUTELY AGREE! It is SOOOOOOO difficult to sing IN PITCH while sing at a really low volume! (You're OBVIOUSLY someone who should KNOW about that, the way you mentioned - and the fact you mentioned it at all. VERY GOOD!)
Impeccable unison
UNT has an excellent reputation in their College of Music. You can hear why right here. Amazing.
we song this in high school .. its been almost 40 years.... .. it just came into my mind and i had to hear it. it was so beautiful and touching then.. and still beautiful now.
This is by far the best rendition of this arrangement. I cry every time I listen to it.
One of the “cleanest” performances and interpretation of this work. Simply exemplary.
Beautifully performed. My favorite arrangement; you can almost see the water flowing.
You can hear the river rolling
I sang this same version in high school at a music festival. Funny how you can remember something so vividly from 1992 or 1993....
Same. Class of '92 here.
I sang it at a festival 10 years earlier. Love this arrangement!
Same I sang this in high school
Same. All State Choir in 92 or 93.
The unison at the end = exquisite
I sang the exact same arrangement in a choir over years, and even if it was a pain to study, it sounded so good our conductor regularly shed tears during rehearsals and concerts.
I miss my high school choir so much 😢❤
I miss mine, too 😢
Me too 😢
Join a community choir! They always need new members!
I love this song and this rendition is beautifully preformed. My love of this song comes from my own history with it when I was a young man and a member of the Massachusetts All State Choir. We performed it in Boston Symphony Hall to a full house in the spring of 1970.
This song was one of my father's most favorites. And it's one of mine. I can't help but think of my dear late father whenever I hear it. This performance was beautiful. Thank you.
all of bass singers know that sometimes notes are more important than words and these guys get that😂
If you were trying to make us cry, mission accomplished- in the most beautiful and uplifting way possible.
Arrangement by James Erb, choral director, for 40 years, at University of Richmond, Virginia. He arranged it for the University choir on tour in Europe in 1971.
Yes! Mr. Erb was my father's choral director in the 60s, then mine in the 80s. An inspiration and a legend.
Beautiful arrangement, love the second alto
Fabuleux ! Un chœur extraordinaire, une musique de rêve, un chef de chœur exceptionnel !
Une merveille !
Mille mercis
We are singing this in our choir class and just hearing us all harmonize for the first time is so beautiful
Absolute perfection. Hauntingly beautiful.That long pause between the finish and the applause says it all.
Magnificent expression of this beautiful piece of music. How can you hear it and not cry?
I’ve played this song in numerous ensembles throughout my high school and college careers. It’s my very favorite song and I sang it to my daughter as a lullaby every night when she was a baby. This brings back so many memories and makes me weepy. Beautiful performance.
i was only in choir for one year in high school so i could go on the choir trip and i am not a good vocalist. but we performed this and i really loved it. 15 years later, it knocks my 7 month old son to sleep every time 🙂
This song goes hard
My wife and I sang this in choir in 1973 at State. We came in third, but we felt we won! Absolutely beautiful arrangement! ❤❤
I remember preforming with you Mr. Hightower back in 1993 - 1994 in Mr. Tally's Choir at Odessa College 😊
Absolutely astonishing!!!What a peace and what a choir. Southern Brazil hugs for all of you.
i remember singing this my freshman year of high school. this song is truly a masterpiece and one of the top songs I have ever sang in my long choir career by far.
Your blend is astounding. Great voices. A wonderful piece of music. Thank you.
Beautiful is an understatement.
This harmony is so angelic.
For me this is the best performance I heard for now. We could hear all voices clearly and the tone is very pleasant and delicate. Bravo !
Totally agree
@@magnificatanimamea2353 To me it's essentially perfection. I can't imagine any better.
We were supposed to sing this for our choir concert in the spring, before it was cancelled for COVID. just being a bit nostalgic :) (also this is absolutely lovely)
I remember singing this exact piece freshman year. It really took me back
Graduated in ‘65. Sang this with the Shenandoah Singers under Harlan Snow. Brings back some great memories.
Quelle magnifique interprétation! Une pièce beaucoup plus difficile à chanter qu'elle n'en a l'air, mais ici rendue à la perfection et avec la fluidité d'une rivière qui coule son chemin... Merci!
Bravissimo! Kudos to the conductor and choir. IMHO, this arrangement by Erb is the definitive version of the song and no other need be performed.
Very nice. I sang this song years ago with a male choire :)
Wha a great song, and nice arrangement. At this school they make a lot of good music. Bravo!
Truly beautiful!!!
The tradition continues. They used to come to my high school and perform for the music cluster (Booker T. Washington high school Dallas Texas). They are still awesome 35 years later....
a perfect performance by an astounding choir. this song touches everything in me that needs touching. thank you!
This song takes me back to my a capella choir at Red Mountain High. Such wonderful memories ❤
I keep coming back to this arrangement and this video. So beautiful! First heard and sang it in college 35 years ago. Such a gorgeous blend and all your amazing voices. Wow. Hope you're all still following your incredible talents at least in a small way. Music is such a transformational gift isn't it? Thank you for sharing
I wanna tell the universe that they should all listen to your voice right now ❤️
I first heard this James Erb arrangement in a recording/video of the Choir of the West made at Pacific Lutheran University in the 1960s. It is stunningly beautiful. The UNTC choir performs it perfectly. Thank you.
This is the best shanedoah I've ever heard. ❤️
Beautiful, just how I remembered it when i was in choir!
Next to "Vide Cor Meum", this is one among the top pieces that send me into a trance. Perfect rendition. Well done.
Beautiful rendition. Absolutely wonderful. And I live right in the Shenandoah Valley.❤
The alto tone is chef’s kiss
This has been one of my favorite songs. It never fails to leave me boo hooin. Every time.
Beautiful! I have always loved this song. Remember singing this piece in high school ❤
It is a most haunting piece of music. As an Englishman , who has never been to America. This sums-up to me the birth of of a young vibrant nation that; inspite of its faults, contributes so much to the world . I do have an affinity to America. More so , then Europe. Then I did live in England during WW2....
This school is much better than most of the Ivy League and other universities across the country in their music program. I sang this particular arrangement 40 years when I was in college. We were good, but not nearly as good as this group. Beautiful.
Sang this exact arrangement with the Keene (NH) High School a cappella choir under the great Jean Nelson. Never forgot it.
Wow, what a great performance.
This moved me to tears. Thank you for such a beautiful moment.
I always love hearing this song.
This song single-handedly made me drive 11 hours to Virginia and embark on a 3 day hike in Shenandoah park
I feel the same way! Thankfully, after many years far distant, I live a bit closer now. Definitely on the near term list for a trip. I will put on headphones and listen to this gorgeous performance while standing at the banks.
that's really cool
I loved hearing that!
So blended
My favorite song, sung SO beautifully. Thank you!
Stunningly well performed. Both the balance and blend are truly outstanding. BRAVO!
The superior arrangement! All others pale in comparison. I remember choking back tears while performing this in my HS choir.
beautiful
Perfection. My HS select choir rehearsed this song many many times, but never got it polished enough for performance. I've been looking for an arrangement close to the one we tried to sing and this is it. Finally, after 22 long years, my searching is done. Thank you so much.
My teacher is friends with the director of this piece! This is amazing!
great touching harmonies
Discovered this song after losing someone close and it was and still is my go to solace ! So beautifully performed and damn near perfect! Bless this lot !🙏
I’ve sung this a few times; this is a great rendition. I’ve asked myself why it is such an effective piece, and I think it’s because of the construction of long, rolling lines that imitate the river; the lower lines in particular. The soprano canon is what really elevates it though. It’s a simple piece but vocally really challenging for unity of intonation. Hats off to the tenors and sops here for vowel matching at the end, which is not easy to pull off! And in case all this sounds too technical - it brought tears to my eyes.
My Favourit Music!
BRAVÍSSIMO 🙌🙏🙌🇧🇷
Thanks for This special Moment!
❤🙏🇧🇷
wonderful
Hauntingly ❤️💕❤️ Beautiful
Stunning. Absolutely one of my favorite pieces:)
This is most excellent in so many ways! Thanks!
I sang this same version at a performing arts camp with our madrigal choir. It was a joy to sing - this video brings back so many wonderful memories!
Superb performance of this great American song
Perfect!
My favorite song I've ever sung with a choir
This makes me think about the music auditions that I’ve had to do which almost always have this song
A beautiful rendition of this and a stunning performance! I would love to have the lyrics of this one. This piece is unique in that you rarely hear the same lyrics. If someone would be so kind as to print the lyrics I would be most grateful. Excellent work, Univerisity of North Texas A Cappella Choir and Director Hightower!!! Most excellent indeed!!
Awesome! Simply Beautiful!
I too cherish singing this in choir back in high school… ❤
Gorgeous performance.
Beautiful just beautiful.
Stunning!
Angelic! 😥❤
🎼💕Nec to song 🥰shenando💕🎼
This is very softly amazing 🙏🎼💖
Beautiful harmony...
Brilliant job! This brings back so many memories from High school! 👏 👏
What a beautiful arrangement, wonderful singers too.
Still a favorite on mine by this choir!❤
Amazing 👏🏾
Beautiful--perfect restraint.
Absolutely beautiful!! I love this piece. Not sure what year it was but one of the choirs I sang in did this piece as SAA. Absolutely gorgeous music from this choir...and A Cappella!! Bravo!!!
Love this performance!!
The University of North Texas Choir tributes the souls we have cherished and the souls we may soon come to know.
WELL DONE!!!!
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you.