A Beautiful Blessing

While struggling to keep myself awake, I was reading chapter 6 from the Book of Numbers. Towards the end, I read a prayer that the Lord said to Moses to be used to bless the people. Upon reading it, I was reminded of a musical rendition of this song during my early years at a university choir. There is a more popular version of this song, but I couldn't help but reminisce the time that I sang John Rutter's version of "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." During the first time I sang this piece, I had difficulty with the soprano line. The female voices would sing the first half of the prayer first. The way that the soprano line soars was quite a challenge to me then. But if sung very well, it's that feeling of soaring successfully that makes the effort worth while.

The repeating lines and the extended "Amen" made me relax and calm and even made me stay awake during the reading of the bible. So much so that I think this is a song--a keepsake--that's worth sharing. Here is a rendition of the song by the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Hope that it will uplift your hearts and souls to God and be at peace knowing that He will always bless us with everything that we need to do our duties for the coming week.

Pop Week: A Capella Style Macarena

This week I'll be featuring Pop Songs--I use the term loosely here. I'm talking about songs that we hear over the radio or tunes that we dance to. But I won't be featuring the group or singer that popularized it. What I'll be presenting instead are choral groups singing these pop songs.

I guess the reason is obvious. Choral groups also get into the grove of contemporary and modern times and sing in a capella style songs that the modern generation has come to recognize and love. When these songs are sung, the impact on the audience is one of amazement--as long as the rendition was executed beautifully. You could say that it's better to watch these performances live rather than on video. As with any type of choral music, watching a live concert is always the best way to appreciate a choir's performance. Here, I hope to give you what we in the world of choral performers, composers and arrangers have to offer to you, our beloved audience.

Do you remember Macarena? I remember it quite well because a lot of youngsters seem to just want to dance to this music. I'm not a good dancer really, so I love it when I see dancers just sway and shake their bodies to the tune of this song. Have you seen a choir perform this song? If not, then here is the University of Visayas Chorale performing Macarena.

Incidentally, show choirs have blossomed over the years. Some of them would sing pop music with choreography and instruments. I'd prefer those who sing it a capella style--and some little choreography if possible.