Most church choirs use folders. We are doing different pieces every week, not just for one performance. Also, as you get older, the memory does not hold up. This is beautifully done.
You got a standing ovation because your parents, friend, and community loved you and supported you. Also, you were in high school and the audience would have lowered their expectations.
Those of you comparing this choir to a HS or college choir that didn't use folders need to remember a church doesn't rehearse 3-5 days a week either. There's NOTHING wrong with using folders. They did a great rendition of this piece, which is one of my favorites for Christmas. And to the comment regarding having performed it a cappella: well it's not WRITTEN to be done a cappella, so you cheated the audience out of the great orchestral accompaniment. Nothing commendable about that. Everyone stop being so critical and enjoy the music!
I agree with everything you said. The only issue is that some of the singers kept their noses in their books. This is a matter of the director needing to constantly remind their singers to look up. Meanwhile, singers who sing with other choirs as well as the church choir usually develop better habits.
I agree with sftball. We did this song in HS concert choir. We had it memorized. no folders and we did it acapella. And this piece is easy compared to Hallelujah Chorus which we did for the same concert from memory and it was also acapella. This was in 1986!! We never had a concert where we were allowed to use folders.
Hopefully in the six years between your comment and this one, you will have found out that HS experience is not a standard for anyone's musical performance.
Great piece, which I remember accompanying in high school back in the last century! As to folders/music, in principle choirs can and should use them in some cases. But that's no excuse for not looking up and out -- watching conductor and most importantly, putting the music across to the audience visually. This video shows both -- a few people making music and telling glad tidings and, unfortunately, several buried in their books. Still, very nice performance.
Keep in mind, I am a high school band student who played this, but it seems like the Hispanic soloist in the middle is VERY sharp. She should've just sang a constant pitch.
