It actually pretty common so the band and see clearly and the chorus can see clearly. I have been part of performances many a time where this was done.
I had a previous favorite version of this song. Glad I found this one. These young folk and their conductors get a standing ovation from me, literally.
Fire. Fire. Fire. Take a letter, Ensign. To His Honor, the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Forsyth. My dear Mr. Forsyth, it is my great pleasure to inform you that you are, in fact, correct. The slave fortress in Sierra Leone does not exist
The band arrangement backing the choir is a killer! The rhythms are never the same as their given beats and it’s super confusing. The amount of markups I’ve done on my music.. beautiful song though! Worth the work.