really nice use of chromatic for symbolism with the words. It is a great balance between the chromatic feel and the angelic dissonances all reacting with the text. I really like this, great job!!
This is beautiful! Me and my wife love choral music with chord progressions that make you feel something, and dear god did I feel it at “you shall not fall” (bar 14). Truly magical!
Amazing piece! I love how the minor and major scales blend together with a tense and gloomy tone but end happily. The last phrase: “You are never alone!” A perfect ending.
Thank you so much! 😊 That was definitely my aim, for it to acknowledge that sometimes life is hard but for the piece to be uplifting. Thanks for your comment.
1:40 Absolutely perfect arrangement. I don’t think I have ever heard something so gorgeous. Very underrated which needs to be shared with the world, especially in these dark times.
So happy RU-vid recommended this video to me - what an incredible piece of music! It sounds both ancient and modern at the same time. Wonderful dissonances and resolutions! Hats off to the choir as well - they absolutely nailed the tight harmonies. Subscribed!
Hello, me again. I'm in a small choir from NSW Australia. I am so happy I have discovered your beautiful music. I love singing. I'm a soprano. I absolutely love your work. Keep composing. Greatest respect for your talent. Janice.
I stumbled upon this masterpiece on my suggested content, is this piece available? The distinct colors and flavor in each segment is way too angelic. Btw, I love the tenor parts where they shine at 1:15.
Hi thanks for this wonderful comment. If you’re after the score, send me an an email info@jwoodhall.com and I’ll happily send it over. Thanks; the tenors are fab singers which helps 😊
Please be on TMEA list for next year, please be on TMEA list for next year, Please be on TMEA list for next year, please be on TMEA list for next year, Please be on TMEA list for next year, please be on TMEA list for next year, Please be on TMEA list for next year, please be on TMEA list for next year.
Hi! Thanks for this! I’d love to be on a list, I’d TMEA the Texas Music Educators Association? I’m based in the UK but studied at UNT for a year and would love to come back. Do let me know if there’s someone I ought to contact!
All good@@Froggie124 ! Do get your choir director to have a listen and get in touch if they're keen. This has happened a few times already - the guys at University of Tennessee showed it to their professor and it looks like they'll sing it in the new year! Thanks for your comments!
This is absolutely phenomenal. I have a chamber group I direct in Orange County, and would love to record this piece with them. Is that possible? Do you have music available for purchase? Thanks!
Hi! Many thanks. Yes, it was sung by the wonderful Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir but yes, it's so pure and clear I can see how it could be thought as being a program!
Hi! Thanks for asking. The process for this piece was slightly different as I wrote both the music and the words sort of simultaneosuly. I am a pianist and so often start with improvising at the piano to decide on a 'sound world' for the piece. I often work with modes, jazz and other extended harmony. In this case, the piece is mostly aolian and dorian mode but I wanted the real 'bite' of dissonance of the clash between A minor and Ab major. Once I've decided on the structure and tonalily of the piece, particularly if it's for voices, I sing the lines aloud and write them (as best I can) how they sound in my head. I sometimes sketch by hand but most often straight into sibelius. It's a challenge to keep the sound in one's head alive once the sibelius sounds play ideas back (particularly vocal) but it is useful in many ways.
