The Battle Hymn of the Republic Guest Conductor: Maestro Joseph Guinta 2012 Iowa All-State Chorus and Orchestra Original Air Date: November 22, 2012 Copyright Iowa Public Television
Do you think that any one of those students ever forgot that experience. Not on your life!! How sad that so many school districts have eliminated music and arts programs from their budgets, especially when there is tons of evidence to prove that learning to sing or play an instrument improves overall academic performance.
I performed this exact arrangement when in high school in 1981 and I have never forgotten it. It remains one of the greatest performance experiences of my life.
@@ren-eo3im This song has an important place and meaning in American history that I would not expect other nations, each with their own different histories meaningful to them, to share.
Al Petterson me, too, in 1978. Nassau County (NY) All-County Chorus at CW Post College (now part of Long Island University). I don't remember the conductor's name offhand, but he had been one of Wilhousky's students, and dismissed one of our rehearsals so he could attend Wilhousky's funeral. I felt incredibly honored that we performed three Wilhousky attachments at that concert.
@@ren-eo3im I understand and agree with that. This song was written specifically during the American Civil War, but any performer or listener can find their own meaning.
I wept as I heard this. Very possibly the best performance of the Battle Hymn of the Republic I have ever heard. One thing that adds to the balance and overall delivery of this song is the positioning of the singers, no two boys are standing together and no two girls are standing together. It is Soprano, Tenor, Alto and Bass, standing in that order that makes the delivery par excellence!!
SPECTACULAR!!! These young people are the cream of the crop. I was as excited as their director. To think that they are our future, makes me even more excited about America in these troubled times. Great Grandmother Rennie
congratulations Madam. as a director you should be proud of this choir. to know these details is one of the beautiful things in life. thank Rennie - mother and grandmother. you are a blessing.
I played this song at all state 2023 on clarinet. I was absolutely drenched in sweat but shivering from the beauty of the piece. It was absolutely indescribable
1988 Maryland All State Chorus. We did this song and just absolutely love hearing it. It’s a very nearly indescribable experience to be part of such a group. Vibrations to your very soul.
This performance leaves me breathless, having sung in choirs from elementary school through college this is an amazing performance with glorious voices and orchestra and they're kids 17 to 22 !!!!
To all you young ladies and young men - in the chorus and the orchestra, and those who supported the performance - I am proud of you all - you did good - no, better than good!
March 8, 2022 this video and performance pops up on my youtube recommendations. It brought tears to my 73 year old eyes, and a sense of calm to my soul. There is nothing this world can throw at GOD to stop HIS truth from marching onward even if we are blind to it. Well done band and choir, I just pray they all paid attention to the words they sang.
from 86-y-o in hoosierland, this gets me excited. i have recently gone backto my spiritual roots in the Presbyterian church, where i wear a choir robe an sing my little old heart out. Indiana state choral dept did this in 1954-55, at the fairgrounds colisium, minus instruments, but the original version,as i call it. i approve of the postioning of voices had not seen tht done til, today, Feb. 26, 2024,..let's hear it for live music..
This is perfect, and exactly what I've been searching for. All other versions were lacking in something, though I cannot say what. This version has it, whatever it is. Love this and have it on repeat.
I remember singing this in high school (79-83). Every year, all the high school choruses in our county would get together and do a concert. This was always the finale. A beautiful, unforgetable arrangement.
I was involved in the Iowa all State Choir in 1980. It was by far the highlight of my music life. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it and America the Beautiful.
Two bucket list items for this non choir parent from Texas.. 1. Be present in the hotel atrium for the Star-Spangled Banner as performed by the Kentucky All State Choir 2. Attend the Iowa All State Chorus and Orchestra performance of the Battle Hymn
I have just been transported back to the 1960’s and singing “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Our Head Master (Mr. Bigger) had the entire school in the palm of his hand! Under his instruction we began singing in hushed voices, gradually building up to end the hymn in a massive crescendo! No practice, just sheer spontaneity, and boy “Battle Hymn of the Republic” has remained firmly in my heart and soul since. Thank you Leith Links Primary School, Leith, Edinburgh you taught me well🙏and thank you Iowa All-State Chorus and Orchestra, just sublime🫶🏽
As a Brit, superb, you are a credit to your state. Thank you. I remember this being sung at St Pauls on the event of 9/11, we are one nation divided yes, but one nation never the less.
I was in the New Jersey All State Choir in 1976. We sang the same arrangement (May Peter J. Wilhousky’s notes live forever), conducted by Karl Minor and the amazing Ernest Brahm. The experience of a lifetime! I can still sing the Bass II part from memory to this day. Bravo to this group of wonderful singers and musicians!!
For such a large festival chorus performing such a bigloudsplashy piece, the ensemble is quite remarkable, and the conductor paces it nicely. Congratulations to all concerned. First-rate.
6 years later and 1st time I saw this. What wonderful young people , just beautiful brought tears to my eyes. Gives you great faith in our young people.
One of the best performances of this (my favorite) version of "The Battle Hymn" I have ever heard. Beautiful enunciation of the lyrics and perfectly balanced among the various sections throughout (especially for such a large ensemble where one section could easily dominate). As well, wonderful performance by the orchestra, especially the interlude before the men's "quartet."
Have you noticed that everyone talks about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version? This is good, but the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is simply superior. Their music is like no other, and I can't help but get lost in their angelic voices every time I listen to them.❤️
The Battle Hymn of our republic. May we always fight for America, the America envisioned by the brave soldiers and sailors who fought for the preservation of the United States and the freedom of every citizen.
Late in life I decided that I had to study the Civil War, a defining time in our country. I'm moving along with two biographies of Grant, a study of Grant and Sherman, their collaboration and friendship, and a shelf-full of books that I will read. I was born in Alabama almost 85 years ago. It's about time. It's about a time. I now understand that in that defining, horrible, unimaginable war, most of the dead were young, most of the 750,000 dead. Soldiers and those they left behind, also casualties of that war. Young, like the extraordinary members of the chorus, orchestra, band in Iowa. I tend to watch and listen to these young people at least once a day, these days, and I have heard several choruses and orchestras perform The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Not one of them touches these young people--and let's not forget the conductors. I've seen choruses with multiple soloists, seen the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, seen fireworks at the finale. This performance is definitive. Like the war. Thank you.
The mixing of the choir sections was impressive. More effort to maintain your part and not get mixed up is required. Excellent work by choir members and director. A hearty WELL DONE to all.
You are making me cry rivers for the beauty of the way you have composed this most amazing old favorite song that I have loved since a child! Oh my, be proud of your hard work and your great gift to the world. God bless you each! What a performance!!!
I hope that everyone who sings this hymn or hears it that they know the origins of it and the powerful meaning behind it! I get emotional as I hear those words being sung.
I was in the Illinois All-State Choir in 1967...a proud day indeed. I wish we would have been able to sing this. This rendition is just beautiful and the kids so very talented.
You are right. Someday it will be the National Anthem. However, there will be people who will object to that because the premise of the Battle Hymn of the Republic is that human rights come God, and not come from the state, and that it must be rejected for that reason. For them the state is the source of rights.
Such a devastating time for me to find this video as only a couple of days ago several tornados ravished through Iowa leaving all sorts of havoc and mayhem behind, my thoughts and prayers go to the citizens of Iowa as I listen to this.
