+Shane Sharp (Eve) more appreciation needs to be given towards those who play in band and orchestra... I mean, because the song was originally written for a choir, naturally a lot of people would say they are singing it in their choir... but I can only wonder how difficult a band/orchestral version would be. Bravo to you!
Forrun Zentineth I have the sheet music right next to me too, and the commenter is referencing two different parts. The part you mentioned, and the very ending
I sang this during an intense period of recovery after a very traumatic three years, and this song really reminded me why I make music. When I sang this song, it was honestly rather difficult not to cry. Music moves me like nothing else does, and the despair and the hope and the love expressed in this piece really hit home for me. I needed it.
I know I'm just another person talking about singing this in Choir, but we're actually doing this for a Memorial Service after a Tornado destroyed half our town and killed many people :( Will be singing this for the whole audience, such a great piece
I loved singing this song in high school. The lyrics are so amazing. I am getting "But music and singing have been my refuge, and music and singing shall be my light." as a tattoo one day because the lyrics are so true.
This is my first time hearing this song. I was completely blown away. I LOVE this song. My best line is "music and singing have been my refuge. It truly is. I'm 66 years old and have been singing all my life. At this stage in my life I am hearing some great music and Earth Song is tops. Thank you for sharing.
I can't help but to cry during this song. As far back as I remember, I loved singing and listening to music. When I first heard this song, it was so amazing and peaceful. It has not lost its meaning to me, and it never will.
I had the hardest time locating this song because what pops up when one puts "Earth Song" into the browser, is Michael Jackson's! My son''s concert chorus sang it a couple years ago and it moved me to tears. They sang it again yesterday at HS graduation, with amazing acoustics in LJVM Coliseum. This will be one of the songs being played at my final Farewell service.
My high school choir sang this at a memorial service for a loved fine arts advocate in our school community. The incredible moment of silence that followed afterwards was the most emotional thing I have ever been through. I felt so blessed. The emotion that poured out of our hearts was soul-wrecking and beautiful. That is my favorite choir memory ever and I will never forget it.
I feel that with everything that's going on in the world right now, this song is the message everyone needs to hear. There is so much pain and sadness brought upon this world with terrorist attacks happening every week on top of all our other troubles. My chorus teacher said something so amazing that I even teared up when she said it... I can't remember her exact words but practically she said that she feels that the world needs to heard that last chord, "peace" and maybe we will learn to love and not to hurt one another. This song is such a work of art, I wish every person could hear it and really listen to the words.
We're currently learning this song in my chorus. Being a soprano 1 is really nice, the notes are beautiful. This song is amazing, and I can't wait to perform it.
Sang this in choir this year before I moved, whenever I miss my friends at my school I just come here and listen to this... but i'm a guy, i'm not supposed to cry lol, gets me every time, thanks for the upload.
this is by far the most beautiful thing i've heard in my life. everytime i hear this song (my choir sang it last semester) i get chills and i feel a sort of calm rush through my body. the sound of this choir is both enthralling as well incredible... as is the text.
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The sopranos tell the story of the song. The altos give the substance or the feeling of the song. The tenors tell part of the story and give the feeling of the song. The basses are the foundation of the song. All parts work together to make a masterpiece. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"A light of song, shining strong, Alleluia..." This is why human beings exist. It's for things like this, for the music and the bittersweet, glorious joy it brings. What other reason for living is there?
I remember we sang this song my senior year (our teacher knew we had always wanted to sing it like ever since freshman year) and when I tell you we bawled at the final concert ......damn it was the saddest most beautiful thing lol
This is such a beautiful piece. I take from this that there is always hope, even In the darkest hours of our human experience. There is always a beauty even with our short time here on Earth. This piece is very moving to me because it will be the last song I sing in my high school career.
I agree with you Adam....but for me, the idea that music can be a refuge and light in the dark times is very special and enduring and, at least in my case, very true.
I live in a town where oil is our main economical stimulate. Listening to this song while driving through our oil district, I finally got a perspective for the "scorched earth" section. Barely any greenery, barely any life... I LOVE THIS SONG!!
While we were singing this song at the Large Group Festival, we had a complete 4 seconds of silent at the end of the peace. We had the audience "in the palms of our hands" after we sung this piece because it is so magical. Thank you Frank Ticheli for making this piece.
This s by far one of the best recordings I've heard of this song. I'm singing it this Saturday at a 4-County Honors Choir clinic; I'm really looking forward to it, it's such a beautiful song. Really powerful.
we're singing this song when our choir and show choirs perform at Disney World this spring break and I am so glad that we are. this song is absolutely beautiful. Love it.
absolutely breathtaking!! my choir is singign this when we go on tour this year....i almost cried the first time i heard it......completely mesmerizing
I know everyone's said this. But it gives me new chills about every 3 seconds. And tears. Haha.... Frank Ticheli is probably now one of my favorite composers.
My choir sang this for our spring concert my freshman year, (I'm a junior now) and i have a feeling it will be my grade's senior pick, (the seniors get to pick one song from their 4 years in choir to have the entire choir sing one more time) and I'm going to cry the whole way through learning it and performing it again... #penncrestchoir
My chamber choir is also singing this for our fall concert and this is the most beautiful song i have ever heard in my entire life. I'm so jealous of my friends that are singing this.
My senior year of high scholl i was fortunate to go to Europe and the band i was in also had a choir that sang this song and the best memory i have of the trip is when the choir sang this song in Dachau concentration camp in front of the main memorial. It was beautiful and tear jerking.
I did this song with the National Youth Choir in Carnegie Hall... My favorite piece out of the entire collection we had, including Jeffrey Ames' pieces. This song is just beautiful, I love it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the similarities. And you are 100% right. Eric Whiatcre's Sleep is amazing, but why should that detract from this wonderful piece? It shouldn't and doesn't.
My Chamber Choir just finished learning this and it gives me chills every time. We're performing it multiple times this semester, and hopefully, everyone who hears it will feel the same way. There's so much emotion. I love it.
My thoughts exactly. And I love "I Am Not Yours". It's in my choirs repertoire this and last semester. Music is my strongest way of tying myself to God and the world he has placed us in. I don't think I'd make it without it.
I sang this my junior year of high school. I remembered its name surprisingly haha. It was amazing to perform. There are very few songs I remember from high school/ middle school choir but this will definitely be one I'll remember for a long time.
This is one of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard. Im in orchestra and my school's choir sang this yesterday. it inspired me to join chorus next year.
I recently heard this in chorus class, and now we're singing it for our district honor chorus, and I can't help but tear up a little everytime I sing it. Even more when I just hear it sung so beautifully. It captures one of the principles my whole life kinda revolves around: music is my refuge. No matter how crappy things get, beautiful music can make me forget it all for the time being. And I love that. :]
My school choir sang this today at our ash Wednesday prayer service. The first time I heard it was while they were practicing. I think the beginning sounds like the soundtrack from the movie Glory. This is a beautiful song!!!
This is one of our UIL pieces for chorale. Today was the first day of rehearsal and I instantly feel in love with this song. This is one of the first times I've had such a connection with a song, it's such a powerful piece and it just overwhelms you with emotions.
I remember singing this for choir a few years ago. Our teachers had us master our parts separately and then our conductor brought us together to sing it. I always felt emotional singing this piece because the lyrics meant so much to me so when I heard the other voices and the harmonies coming together, I literally broke down after that session. We sounded so beautiful and otherworldly in that moment. It was so powerful and peaceful at the same time. Music always has been and continues to be my refuge.
When a perfect jewel of a song drops from the pen of a composer like this we can but give thanks to a powerful wisdom that is shared in all. Thank you Mr Ticheli ...
What a glorious piece. I, too, have sung it in a couple of choirs, and it is simply heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Thank you, Mr. Tichell, for this lovely gift. Please keep writing and composing!
My chamber choir is singing this song as well. We only got the music last week and we feel as though we own it already, just because it is so beautiful. I first time I heard it, I almost broke down in tears. Such hope!
im playing this song in band and it sounds amazing and no body has heard the words to it. I think the song choice is just right. I think this song is absolutely amazing and inspiring. I can't wait to play it for our contest music.
When I was in 7th grade a new choir teacher began teaching 7th-12th graders. The high school concert choir did this at the very first concert of the year (hurricane sandy was actually going on that day). Now I am a senior in high school in concert choir with the same choir teacher and we are singing this song again. (And this time hurricane Irma is happening)
My choir is singing this for our concert this semester. Absolutely beautiful3 my friend says it came from frank ticheli's other song Sanctuary... another beautiful song! Love it.
by far the best "Earth Song" on youtube. pictures were amazing and worked in well with the lyrics. my chorus is singing this later on in the year and learning it now. it is absolutely amazing!
I love singing this in Choir so much, i was a a soprano and it made me feel so beautiful with the harmonizing and after we finished it i felt such peace.
This.
This is why I loved music.
This is why I still love music.
This is why I will always love music.
Until my dying breath.
I dont think you can state the feeling in any better way.
Everyone is like "I'm singing this in choir" and I'm over here like "I'm playing the concert band version in band"
+Shane Sharp (Eve) more appreciation needs to be given towards those who play in band and orchestra... I mean, because the song was originally written for a choir, naturally a lot of people would say they are singing it in their choir... but I can only wonder how difficult a band/orchestral version would be. Bravo to you!
+Carleen6 It's a challenge in all respects. No matter what part or instrumentation. But always beautiful
im over here like i wish i sang this another group nailed it at the concert and now im obsessed XD
Shane Sharp As someone who's done both, the choir version is better, sorry.
same. it was so beautiful. i don't care if it was written for a choir, the concert band version still gave me chills
"I'll sing, I'll be, live, see." Favorite lyric of the whole song. But 2:22, can bring a grown man to his knees in beauty. Thank you, Frank Tichelli.
It’s actually “a light of song, shining strong, hallelujah...” i have the sheet music right next to me
Forrun Zentineth I have the sheet music right next to me too, and the commenter is referencing two different parts. The part you mentioned, and the very ending
Currently singing this in my acapella class, simply the most gorgeous piece of music I have ever heard. It's an honor to be able to sing this piece.
Sean Raus The church choir I'm in is singing this next Sunday It is so beautiful. It was hard keeping from crying at rehearsal tonight.
I sang this during an intense period of recovery after a very traumatic three years, and this song really reminded me why I make music. When I sang this song, it was honestly rather difficult not to cry. Music moves me like nothing else does, and the despair and the hope and the love expressed in this piece really hit home for me. I needed it.
I know I'm just another person talking about singing this in Choir, but we're actually doing this for a Memorial Service after a Tornado destroyed half our town and killed many people :(
Will be singing this for the whole audience, such a great piece
Okay, that just added a new level of chills to this experience.
I loved singing this song in high school. The lyrics are so amazing. I am getting "But music and singing have been my refuge,
and music and singing shall be my light." as a tattoo one day because the lyrics are so true.
This is my first time hearing this song. I was completely blown away. I LOVE this song. My best line is "music and singing have been my refuge. It truly is. I'm 66 years old and have been singing all my life. At this stage in my life I am hearing some great music and Earth Song is tops. Thank you for sharing.
I can't help but to cry during this song. As far back as I remember, I loved singing and listening to music. When I first heard this song, it was so amazing and peaceful. It has not lost its meaning to me, and it never will.
I had the hardest time locating this song because what pops up when one puts "Earth Song" into the browser, is Michael Jackson's! My son''s concert chorus sang it a couple years ago and it moved me to tears. They sang it again yesterday at HS graduation, with amazing acoustics in LJVM Coliseum. This will be one of the songs being played at my final Farewell service.
I've never had a song touch my heart so much to make it ache. Thank you Ticheli
You should listen to Seal Lullaby by Erik, it makes you feel a lot like how you feel when you listen to this song.
The choir I'm in is singing BOTH Earth Song AND Seal Lullaby right now. :)
Huffnpoof niceeeee. ive done both in choir already (ive already graduated) but i love them soooo mucchhhhh.
Played at my graduation. It will never be forgotten.....
My high school choir sang this at a memorial service for a loved fine arts advocate in our school community. The incredible moment of silence that followed afterwards was the most emotional thing I have ever been through. I felt so blessed. The emotion that poured out of our hearts was soul-wrecking and beautiful. That is my favorite choir memory ever and I will never forget it.
What a beautiful gift you gave to that community.
This song still gives me goosebumps and makes the hair on the back of my neck stand.
I feel that with everything that's going on in the world right now, this song is the message everyone needs to hear. There is so much pain and sadness brought upon this world with terrorist attacks happening every week on top of all our other troubles. My chorus teacher said something so amazing that I even teared up when she said it... I can't remember her exact words but practically she said that she feels that the world needs to heard that last chord, "peace" and maybe we will learn to love and not to hurt one another. This song is such a work of art, I wish every person could hear it and really listen to the words.
We're currently learning this song in my chorus. Being a soprano 1 is really nice, the notes are beautiful. This song is amazing, and I can't wait to perform it.
Sang this in choir this year before I moved, whenever I miss my friends at my school I just come here and listen to this... but i'm a guy, i'm not supposed to cry lol, gets me every time, thanks for the upload.
some here... but crying is more then necessary to remind ourselves that we are human
we are allowed to cry fam its all good.
Being a guy is absolutely no reason not to cry every now and then
this is by far the most beautiful thing i've heard in my life. everytime i hear this song (my choir sang it last semester) i get chills and i feel a sort of calm rush through my body. the sound of this choir is both enthralling as well incredible... as is the text.
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The sopranos tell the story of the song. The altos give the substance or the feeling of the song. The tenors tell part of the story and give the feeling of the song. The basses are the foundation of the song. All parts work together to make a masterpiece. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"A light of song, shining strong, Alleluia..."
This is why human beings exist. It's for things like this, for the music and the bittersweet, glorious joy it brings. What other reason for living is there?
I remember we sang this song my senior year (our teacher knew we had always wanted to sing it like ever since freshman year) and when I tell you we bawled at the final concert
......damn it was the saddest most beautiful thing lol
This is such a beautiful piece. I take from this that there is always hope, even In the darkest hours of our human experience. There is always a beauty even with our short time here on Earth. This piece is very moving to me because it will be the last song I sing in my high school career.
I agree with you Adam....but for me, the idea that music can be a refuge and light in the dark times is very special and enduring and, at least in my case, very true.
I listen to this every day.
I live in a town where oil is our main economical stimulate. Listening to this song while driving through our oil district, I finally got a perspective for the "scorched earth" section. Barely any greenery, barely any life... I LOVE THIS SONG!!
"Music and singing, have been my refuge." Thank you Ticheli.
While we were singing this song at the Large Group Festival, we had a complete 4 seconds of silent at the end of the peace. We had the audience "in the palms of our hands" after we sung this piece because it is so magical. Thank you Frank Ticheli for making this piece.
I'm singing this for Concert Choir at my school. This is actually giving me chills because it sounds so good~
Hope we can do as good as this~
If ever I need a song to describe the way I feel about life and the world in general, I'll always come back to this song. Always.
Singing this with my choir(: and it's defiantly moments and songs like these that make me proud to say I am a first soprano :)
This s by far one of the best recordings I've heard of this song. I'm singing it this Saturday at a 4-County Honors Choir clinic; I'm really looking forward to it, it's such a beautiful song. Really powerful.
we're singing this song when our choir and show choirs perform at Disney World this spring break and I am so glad that we are. this song is absolutely beautiful. Love it.
I sang this with my choir about 5-6 years ago when I was in high school. I still haven't forgotten it. Such a beautiful song.
We have a choir of 90+ kids and this sounds amazing! I get chills singing it. A-L-T-O-S!Altos are *clap clap* the best!
absolutely breathtaking!! my choir is singign this when we go on tour this year....i almost cried the first time i heard it......completely mesmerizing
I know everyone's said this. But it gives me new chills about every 3 seconds. And tears. Haha....
Frank Ticheli is probably now one of my favorite composers.
I remember our conductor making us listen to this version before asking us to sing it. I had to choke back tears. Thank you Tichelli
My choir sang this for our spring concert my freshman year, (I'm a junior now) and i have a feeling it will be my grade's senior pick, (the seniors get to pick one song from their 4 years in choir to have the entire choir sing one more time) and I'm going to cry the whole way through learning it and performing it again... #penncrestchoir
I sang this song my senior year in HS in our Chamber choir, and this song ment the world to us....its absolutly beautiful.
When singing this song for my a cappella choir it brought me and most of my choir to tears. Such a beautiful and touching song.
I am directing this with my High School Choir. I feel blessed to do this with my fellow students (:
Thank you Brian Mitchell and Frank Ticheli
We sang this for my choir. The very beginning chords made me cry and I couldn't help but smile like an idiot. Manly tears.
My chamber choir is also singing this for our fall concert and this is the most beautiful song i have ever heard in my entire life. I'm so jealous of my friends that are singing this.
This was my first time listening to this and I'm literally in tears. Very beautiful.
My senior year of high scholl i was fortunate to go to Europe and the band i was in also had a choir that sang this song and the best memory i have of the trip is when the choir sang this song in Dachau concentration camp in front of the main memorial. It was beautiful and tear jerking.
It's great to see that so many other people completely love this piece as much as I do. :)
"Through darkness and strife, I'll sing."
The dissonance makes this song so beautiful. I feel so pure and clean when i listen to it and sing it.
The balance in the beginning is so ridiculously gorgeous. I haven't ever heard the song sung this well.
I did this song with the National Youth Choir in Carnegie Hall... My favorite piece out of the entire collection we had, including Jeffrey Ames' pieces. This song is just beautiful, I love it.
It means that in the hardest times, we turn to music to cheer us up. Such a powerful message. :')
I played alto sax on this with my school band in Disney World in 2013! Such a beautiful piece of music.
I like how some people are bashing this song because it sounds like "Sleep" by Whitacre.
If ones simply beautiful, why not the other?
I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the similarities. And you are 100% right. Eric Whiatcre's Sleep is amazing, but why should that detract from this wonderful piece? It shouldn't and doesn't.
We had to sing this song for hour festival and we made a +1 with +1 being the best. This song will forever be In my heart 😇🙏🏽
I always come back to this video. It gives me such rejuvination.
And I comment every time.
The world should know how happy this song makes me.
I remember singing this song in high school. Every time I hear it i am in awe of its powerful lyrics and beautiful melody.
My Chamber Choir just finished learning this and it gives me chills every time. We're performing it multiple times this semester, and hopefully, everyone who hears it will feel the same way. There's so much emotion. I love it.
I remember singing this in middle school for a clinic in Chicago now this song always makes me nostalgic
I sang this with the National Youth Choir at Carnegie Hall just this past March. My aboslute favorite from our entire ensemble!!!
My thoughts exactly. And I love "I Am Not Yours". It's in my choirs repertoire this and last semester. Music is my strongest way of tying myself to God and the world he has placed us in. I don't think I'd make it without it.
Such and moving and beautiful song. Our choir did it today and so many people were moved by it.
I sang this my junior year of high school. I remembered its name surprisingly haha. It was amazing to perform. There are very few songs I remember from high school/ middle school choir but this will definitely be one I'll remember for a long time.
Micaela May Fire haha it's my junior year now and were performing this in a week :) can't wait!
This is one of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard. Im in orchestra and my school's choir sang this yesterday. it inspired me to join chorus next year.
I recently heard this in chorus class, and now we're singing it for our district honor chorus, and I can't help but tear up a little everytime I sing it. Even more when I just hear it sung so beautifully. It captures one of the principles my whole life kinda revolves around: music is my refuge. No matter how crappy things get, beautiful music can make me forget it all for the time being. And I love that. :]
My school choir sang this today at our ash Wednesday prayer service. The first time I heard it was while they were practicing. I think the beginning sounds like the soundtrack from the movie Glory. This is a beautiful song!!!
sang this song at my high school senior year for the very last concert...and cried the entire time. so beautiful.
Love that low e that the basses sing on peace. Goosebumps.
Sang this in High School. I miss choir dearly
the feeling i get in my heart when i hear this song is indescribable.
Saw this live the other day. I can still taste the salt from my tears.
My choir is singing this and it's so fun to sing, I get goosebumps every time we sing it
What a beautiful song, such amazing words. Gives me chills!
This song makes you feel so many different emotions all at once....
I am singing this in choir right now for an honor choir audition. I love this song, it is such a beautiful piece.
i dont even have words for how beautiful this is, a choir at our school performed it tonight
When I was in my high school chamber choir we sang this song and it touched me so much. I love this song!!!
easily one of the most beautiful songs ever sung.
One of the most beautiful pieces of choral music I have ever heard
WOW!
I never knew that Frank Ticheli put words to the musical number of sanctuary. IT IS PERFECT!!
this is by far the most beautiful piece of music ever created
I LOVED when we sang this at our school! the words were soo truthful and still are...
This is one of our UIL pieces for chorale. Today was the first day of rehearsal and I instantly feel in love with this song. This is one of the first times I've had such a connection with a song, it's such a powerful piece and it just overwhelms you with emotions.
I remember singing this for choir a few years ago. Our teachers had us master our parts separately and then our conductor brought us together to sing it. I always felt emotional singing this piece because the lyrics meant so much to me so when I heard the other voices and the harmonies coming together, I literally broke down after that session. We sounded so beautiful and otherworldly in that moment. It was so powerful and peaceful at the same time. Music always has been and continues to be my refuge.
my high school's choir group just sang this today at their concert. truly amazing! and so relaxing, too!
Honestly one of the most beautiful choir pieces
When a perfect jewel of a song drops from the pen of a composer like this we can but give thanks to a powerful wisdom that is shared in all. Thank you Mr Ticheli ...
What a glorious piece. I, too, have sung it in a couple of choirs, and it is simply heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Thank you, Mr. Tichell, for this lovely gift. Please keep writing and composing!
My chamber choir is singing this song as well. We only got the music last week and we feel as though we own it already, just because it is so beautiful. I first time I heard it, I almost broke down in tears. Such hope!
we're singing this song in chapel tommorrow as a choir, and I can't get it out of my head... probably my favourite song this year :)
im playing this song in band and it sounds amazing and no body has heard the words to it. I think the song choice is just right. I think this song is absolutely amazing and inspiring. I can't wait to play it for our contest music.
When I was in 7th grade a new choir teacher began teaching 7th-12th graders. The high school concert choir did this at the very first concert of the year (hurricane sandy was actually going on that day). Now I am a senior in high school in concert choir with the same choir teacher and we are singing this song again. (And this time hurricane Irma is happening)
we just preformed this piece last night. I adore this and when the line comes to "But music and singing..." i started bawling on stage lol.
Such a moving and lush piece. Hope we can do it justice!
i remember singing this song in choir last year...its the only one i still listen 2 regularly :) i love this song so much
I did this song in a ten piece choir and I absolutely LOVED singing it! This is an AMAZING song.
I just saw my brother perform this last night in a choir concert; they were really good. They sounded pretty much like this.
My choir is singing this for our concert this semester. Absolutely beautiful3 my friend says it came from frank ticheli's other song Sanctuary... another beautiful song! Love it.
by far the best "Earth Song" on youtube. pictures were amazing and worked in well with the lyrics. my chorus is singing this later on in the year and learning it now. it is absolutely amazing!
I love singing this in Choir so much, i was a a soprano and it made me feel so beautiful with the harmonizing and after we finished it i felt such peace.
My Choir is singing this song and im one of the basses and it gives me chills everytime we do i love it!
my high school choir is learning this right now. by far my favorite in all my years.