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Favorite Thanksgiving Video

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This is my favorite Thanksgiving video associated with choral music.  
 
Wait – strike that – this is my favorite choral music video of all time.  
 
Does anyone know of a better three minutes on YouTube?  If I am remembering the original broadcast correctly, this hymn came at the very end of the program.  It was an emotional and beautiful capstone to a marvelous evening of choral music.  The entire production gave me a complete sense of fulfillment.
 
In regards to this particular six minutes of choral glory:
  • I think that tear at 5:15 is the most famous emotional response in choral music.
  • The girl right after it gives an outstanding example of vowel modification.
 
Thank you, Ron Staheli and BYU, for your beautiful music and incredible singing:
 
 

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Comments

  1. I didn’t mean to imply that Ron Staheli wasn’t conducting.  I was trying to give Ron credit for the entire choral program and production – thinking that he was the Director of Choral Activities at the time of the production.  If I’m wrong, I apologize.
     
    It is certainly Wilberg’s setting and Wilberg’s conducting . . . I was pointing to the larger picture.

  2. That IS Mack Wilberg – and it’s his arrangement as well.  He’s pretty amazing.  This was recorded prior to his going to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It’s the combined choirs – so the majority of the students were his at that time.  It’s so wonderful when you can combine faith and music together.  The absolute heart of singing something you truly believe, combined with excellent musicianship = wonderful choral experience!

  3. Yes, it IS Wilberg, and this is his arrangement of the hymn.  (This was recorded before he left BYU.)  It’s a gorgeous arrangement, one of the best hymn arrangements of all time, IMHO.  

  5. I remember watching this video on PBS on Thanksgiving Day when I was growing up.  I waited all year to see it again the next Thanksgiving. I remember seeing the girl cry at the end and realizing the impact that music can have on us.  My all time favorite as well.  Thanks so much for posting it!

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