When the world seems far beyond me, And I have no place to go, When my life seems cold and empty, And I feel I’m all alone, Then a song that I remember Helps to ease my troubled mind...
I had a popular song in mind. But I couldn't find a choral version of it. So I typed the words "choir" on YouTube and see what comes out first. As the title of my blog suggests, this attention grabber made me wonder if such a song as "Call Me Maybe" could ever be arranged for choir. Well, this version wasn't only arranged for choir but also for an orchestra.
Admittedly, the first part of the piece seemed dragging to me. It was too slow and we know how the tempo of Call Me Maybe is sung. But I stuck with it a little more until I reached the build up. Indeed, the strings supplied this building tempo and from then on, the music became spectacular. What's also nice about this video are the singers and artists themselves. If indeed given a chance to do a rendition of a very popular song, wouldn't the excitement simply get you carried away? But as I listened to it, the excitement was a good one. At least I think it didn't sacrifice the quality of the rendition.
Then again you may have your own opinion about it. It isn't easy to appreciate choral and/or orchestral music. But it is nice to give it a chance.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34
There are times when we feel lost in the dark--the dark recesses of our problems, setbacks, failures, trials, and many others. But while there is darkness, there is also the light. The light sheds its brightness upon these problems, setbacks, failures, trials and helps us see, how and where did we go wrong. Ah, but do we really want to see in the dark? Not everybody is open to admit that he has failed in something. Some people feel that only they can solve their own problems because other people will just get in the way. Some people admit to being a failure but simply accepted it as that, not moving towards a way to get up and take the fight again.
From time to time, it is best that we sort things out ourselves first. Hopefully, it wouldn't end there. We need to admit that we couldn't always do everything on our own. That is why the family is there as well as friends and colleagues. We need the help of other people just as they need our help too.
Things will not be resolved if it is not corrected. However, when we do correct someone whom we care about, we must do it with the right intention. We do it because we love the person and so we point out their faults not to bring them down but in order to make them change their bad way and win them back. In the same way, we must be open to what other people say about us. Maybe we don't like being told what to do. It's okay to feel bad about it, but we have to keep an open mind. Knowing our faults is not fun to hear--it shouldn't be precisely because it is a fault. What's better is we take it as an opportunity to change for the better.
In keeping with Pop Week, let's listen to a song that would uplift our spirits and inspire hope amidst our daily struggles in life.
Do you remember The Jets? The Jets is one of the popular bands during the 1980's. What's nice about this group is that all eight members are brothers and sisters. You can read up on the Jets from this website. Some videos of their greatest songs are also contained in this website.
In 2007, Novo Concertante Manila sang one of the popular songs by the Jets "You Got It All," arranged by Paoi Eulalia. This week's pop songs continue as I bring to you a taste of the 80's with "You Got It All."
Yes! It's Friday! Although it's not pay day weekend, it's always a day being looked forward to. It's the day some of us look forward to do other activities in our lives such as maybe cook your favorite dish, read today's best-selling novel, Facebook all day and chat with friends, drink coffee out in the garden and just enjoy a relaxing weekend.
Friday is still party time to some. And what better way to celebrate it than to the tune of Abba. Here is a nice rendition of Abba Medleys by the Philippine Madrigal Singers. TGIF--thank God it's Friday! Enjoy the weekend everybody!
Yesterday was really something! It was traffic all day and I can't understand why. Was it due to the long weekend? The extended vacation from Saturday to Monday? I don't know. I was so dead tired yesterday that I couldn't write my blog.
Well, we all go through struggles in life. Everyday hassles could either wear us down or get back up. Let's hear what the Beatles have to say. Here is a song about a woman, probably a single mom with kids. The woman struggles to earn a living and make ends meet. Perhaps in a way, we could identify with her travails in life.
LADY MADONNA
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who find the money when you pay the rent
Did you think that money was heaven sent
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlegs
See how they run
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Pa pa pa pa...
See how they run
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
See how they run
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
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.
Ah, the weekend! My time to rest and enjoy what I want to do the most. Usually, I just stay at home and read a book--yes, I'm a bookworm! I have so many books at home: fiction (including some classic literature), non-fiction (academic, inspirational, history, etc.) Nowadays, I simply want to read action, adventure, suspense thrillers, and mystery novels. Sometimes you just want to take a break from the serious, intellectual, and reflective topics found in many non-fiction books as well as some classic literature pieces.
The same is true when you watch a concert featuring choral groups. The whole range of songs arranged and composed for choral singing is so vast and plentiful. From church, to international folk, to pop, there are just as many genres to enjoy in choral singing. Sometimes it's hard to get people to watch a choral concert. Some say it's not their thing especially when the choir sings songs in a different language like "Latin"--which is characteristic of many sacred music choral pieces. Or even international folk songs from Europe and Asia...one of these days, I'll share some favorites. For now, let me give you a break from all these "serious" pieces.
Have you seen a choral group sing "We Will Rock You"? I have! The first time I saw this, I had no idea just how flexible and extensive choral singing can be. Choral composers have a lot of choices out there when it comes to creating their next choral piece. Well, on the lighter side, some composers would make arrangements for popular music genres like rock and jazz.
Here is one of my fave choral groups performing "We Will Rock You."
Awesome indeed! This song has not failed to capture its audience.
