Fun fact ( as told by my band director ): This piece was originally commissioned by Dreamworks, whom wanted to produce a movie about a seal who'd lost his mother. So, Whitacre went to work and began writing this piece, and when he approached Dreamworks, they'd told him that they'd changed the theme around, and had began the production of Kung Fu Panda. The more you know!
That is correct! The story that it was written for (originally a choral arrangement, video here: ruclips.net/video/kxTghSZupv8/видео.html) was Kipling's "The White Seal" which was actually derived from "The Jungle Book" Disney wanted a money machine instead of a good story. :(
My high school symphonic band is playing this at graduation. There won't be a dry eye in the audience. Sad, it's the last song I get to play with my closest friends.
....and if you keep playing you will get to make new friends and more musical memories. I've been playing oboe since 1972. Never give up your love for playing music and cherish your memories and those yet to be made!!
I played this with my high school wind ensemble at graduation my freshman, sophomore, and junior years. I remember hearing it played at my graduation and it hit me so hard and continues to hit me really hard each time I listen to it.
I played the piano part as well. I typically play trumpet or sax in ensemble. Normally I play piano solo, so it was difficult getting used to playing at the tempo of the director and not playing over the rest of the ensemble.
Exact same situation, I’m usually playing alto or tenor sax in an ensemble, with piano solo. accompanying the band is so difficult. so im practicing my hardest right now XD
I get to listen to the low brass all the time while my band rehearsed this song because I was a percussionist who didn't get the bell part and it is just so beautiful to listen to.
I played this in high school my junior year, went on to college and played it freshman year, and I'm now a new music educator, and my first song, will be this one
I didn't know this was about a literal seal when I first started this piece. So the image I had in my head was of a _Navy_ SEAL; a soldier singing a hymn and praying for the safety of himself and his family back home. So yeah, I just made this song even more tear-jerking and emotional. Congrats, me. ;~;
You know, music can be interpreted however you want to interpret and your interpretation is absolutely beautiful. If I ever have the chance to direct this piece (I'm going to study to become a Choral director) I'm going to use that as an interpretation. :)
Being an audience member is one thing, but being an actual performer is just breathtaking. I was crying during the real deal performance. This describes so many emotions!! I love this piece!
When playing this my senior year, I cried every single time we ever touched it... Rehearsals, region, state, the concert. It is my favorite song, filled with emotional ties & memories. So beautiful!
Me too! The only thing is it’s hard to go over the break, and the Bb’s sound bad. We recently had a change of band director, so I hope our sub for the rest of the year likes it and lets us play if for our spring concert
Holy crap why does this have to be so beautiful? Played this as a third clarinet my freshman year, and it was the last song I played before we were shut down due to covid. We got the seal, too. It was also the last song that we played with our old band director before he retired (like 3 years past when he should’ve), and it hit him harder than all the band combined. He specifically wanted this song to be his last with us, and I don’t think he could’ve picked a better one. God, it hits me right in the feels.
As a Senior coming back to this comment, this song is definitely bittersweet for me. It’s a gorgeous song, but now that time has been able to run it’s course, this song still has a place in my heart. I have had so many experiences since then. So much has changed. I still follow my old band director on insta, and he’s out there living his best life, judging WGI and running. I am not even close to the same person that I was when I wrote this comment. Time flies y’all.
This was one of my high school senior band's favourite songs to play, and now that most of us have graduated I feel like crying every time I hear it. But I love it soooo much!!!
Caril i love your comment , This divine lullaby sounds really lovely played by yjis very fine band , it makes a change to hear a band playing this rather lovely lullaby instead of voices lol JANE X
I played alto saxophone most of my early school life, but in high school I switched to baritone (at request of my band teacher) and for the first three years of band I hated baritone sax’s lack of Melodies. But this song made me really appreciate the importance of the low support. The deep crescendos & decrescendos behind the melody give me more chills than any part of this arrangement, it gives this piece life, a feeling of breathing the music in - which I find beautiful.
I'm playing this in a concert tomorrow. Such a lovely piece, and I have the fortune of being in an honors band, so my fellow musicians really do this justice. I nearly cried after just a few measures; I can just imagine a little seal pup being rocked to sleep in the gentle waves.
i play the flute in this and can i just say it's freaking gorgeous. when i first heard it i felt so overwhelmed and emotional that i burst out crying. i still get overwhelmed and feel so vulnerable but in a good way? does that make sense
Eric Whitacre is an actual genius. This is just so beautiful. As a trumpet, I can say that this is by far the most beautiful song that I have ever had the privilege to play.
This is such a beautiful piece. I cried when I played this in highschool. The student who did the piano part was amazing. He brought me to tears whenever he played.
the feeling this piece gives me is indescribable. my entire body just fills up with this crazy emotion and for a few minutes i feel kind of fulfilled in a way.
Alex Meurer I don't think there is a piccolo part. At least we didn't get one. I suck at Piccolo too! Its similar but totally different at the same time.
We played this piece today for our school's Veteran's Day assembly. I learned the second clarinet part in three rehearsals. Veteran's Day band is only about 20 people and we had three clarinets. ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE WITH THIS PIECE
I recently performed this piece (on piano) with my school's concert band/wind ensemble at the Meyerson center in Dallas. It was honestly the most amazing musical experience I have ever had, and probably ever will. Thank you Eric Whitacre for this beautiful piece of art.
Ok, the solos are great, (I play first clarinet part on this, beautiful solos) the second clarinet solos at the measure after the first fermata in the piece is just awesome
Nate Dutton I am also the bass clar. for my high school band and we are playing this for the spring concert of my senior year and I'm so happy and I cried when I heard this song for the first time as well, the chords still give me chills xD. Unfortunately my group is only about 30 performers and we lack many of the color instruments, as is I am the only bass clarinet.
Played this with 8th grade Carrollton Junior High School Band. First chair Clarinet, the whole crowd was in tears and most of the band. Such a beautiful piece, with such emotion. Definatly will remember that night.
Playing French horn for this piece in Symphonic Band. The MIDI they used doesn't quite capture the right sound of an F horn, but who cares, it's one of the best sounding songs in the world.
We did this in choir last year, and it was absolutely gorgeous. I transferred to a different school and now the bad is doing it this year. It's one of my favorite choral?band pieces. So gorgeous!
I played this last year with my school's concert band. It's the nicest peace I think we've ever played, it even brought a tear to our conductors eye during a competition, it was so beautiful :')
I played the piano part for this in my college band it was awesome. I was also super scared of performing and blacked out for a sec during the performance and played a wrong note.
We played this as a tribute for children who had lost their lives in school shootings during a winter concert. It was hard to play through this as a trumpet player, but we had a harpist and everything for the piano parts. Every parent was crying through the theater.
How lovely to hear this delightful band play this lovely lullaby ,, it puts a different slant on the presentation of a most divine classic , its the bet ever i adore it x Long live the Ukraine and its people 19/ 3 /2022 x 🌞🌞
I remember being in band. In Jr High, and high school. I would've loved to play this. I was always obsessed with playing ballads like this, vs the songs that are fast and full of runs. Runs are fun, they are. But there's nothing quite like playing a ballad like this and putting your emotion into it. THAT feeling is unmatched. Right now I teach color guard and I love it. But songs like this remind me of band, and how much I miss the people I did it with. Some days I pick up my clarinet and I remember the pieces I played, and how much fun it is to play an instrument. I really do genuinely miss it a lot. Lots of fun memories that I won't ever forget
We're playing this in band for our next concert. Even in sight reading, the song was bringing tears to my eyes. If they had actually made the movie, I best this would have won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
I personally are playing this for our marching band this year. i play the second synth. but next year i’ll be playing baritone saxophone. awesome peace of music. glad my director chose this peace of music.
Pine Tree junior high band used this for contest and we won first division, best in class, and Superior. so we were the best of our area. this was last year 2014-2015
Katie Cronan I play bass clarinet too and I think the part for this piece is amazing. This recording doesn't serve it justice but there are parts were the bass clarinet accompanies the piano with some of the moving lines and I can't help but get the chills every time I play them. I know this comment is two years old but I just had to say something since I am currently playing this piece and love it.
Видеоклипы
This is the type of music clarinets are made for.
PREACH.
Serenity Joan lol i play trumpets i must say we enjoy our part as well but you clarinets have on hellava piece here
Heck yeah! Clarinets forever!
this couldn't be more true, i play second clarinet and I've never had a part like this- it gives me chills
+Arianna_Paletta you experienced the chills too?!?!? *my director calls them achievements, and means you are playing something very well*
Fun fact ( as told by my band director ): This piece was originally commissioned by Dreamworks, whom wanted to produce a movie about a seal who'd lost his mother. So, Whitacre went to work and began writing this piece, and when he approached Dreamworks, they'd told him that they'd changed the theme around, and had began the production of Kung Fu Panda.
The more you know!
That is correct!
The story that it was written for (originally a choral arrangement, video here: ruclips.net/video/kxTghSZupv8/видео.html) was Kipling's "The White Seal" which was actually derived from "The Jungle Book"
Disney wanted a money machine instead of a good story. :(
and thus, my hate for kung fu panda
Mine told us something similar who is your band director
mine did too :)
So did our band teacher
My high school symphonic band is playing this at graduation. There won't be a dry eye in the audience. Sad, it's the last song I get to play with my closest friends.
Brionna Spurlin hope it went well :)
....and if you keep playing you will get to make new friends and more musical memories. I've been playing oboe since 1972. Never give up your love for playing music and cherish your memories and those yet to be made!!
I played this with my high school wind ensemble at graduation my freshman, sophomore, and junior years. I remember hearing it played at my graduation and it hit me so hard and continues to hit me really hard each time I listen to it.
please join another band , if not you will regret it xx
6 years ago... the time has flew by.
I wish this song could just play for the rest of existence in my head
hi
PooCrizzap icon checks out
@@mcoby Omg you're right.
Me fr
Ur profile pic is so fitting to this context
In my band, I'm playing the piano part, and it is the most beautiful piece I think I have ever heard
I played the piano part as well. I typically play trumpet or sax in ensemble. Normally I play piano solo, so it was difficult getting used to playing at the tempo of the director and not playing over the rest of the ensemble.
@@Grovyle90 that's how it is for me too. I've never accompanied anyone 'til now
Saammmee. It actually inspired me to compose my own piece.
im about to do the exact same thing and i've never been more excited
Exact same situation, I’m usually playing alto or tenor sax in an ensemble, with piano solo. accompanying the band is so difficult. so im practicing my hardest right now XD
Tuba, we are the most beautiful thunder.
ayyyyy don't forget ya bois trombone and baritone!
Agreed
Zach Thomas hello fellow tuba player 😁👍
I get to listen to the low brass all the time while my band rehearsed this song because I was a percussionist who didn't get the bell part and it is just so beautiful to listen to.
agreed. i love all low brass and the instruments are beatiful when played correctly 💕💕
-coming from a first clarinet (all the high notessss ;-;)
I played this in high school my junior year, went on to college and played it freshman year, and I'm now a new music educator, and my first song, will be this one
That freaked me out for a sec my band director is Michael DIXON so I was like, wait, what?
You’ve done well for ur students I support LOL 4 years later and The Seal Lullaby still isn’t as well known as October or sleep 😭✨
As a 20 year band director, this comment made me smile. 🙂
I didn't know this was about a literal seal when I first started this piece. So the image I had in my head was of a _Navy_ SEAL; a soldier singing a hymn and praying for the safety of himself and his family back home.
So yeah, I just made this song even more tear-jerking and emotional. Congrats, me. ;~;
Haha hooray congrats!! ^_−☆
That works too
You know, music can be interpreted however you want to interpret and your interpretation is absolutely beautiful. If I ever have the chance to direct this piece (I'm going to study to become a Choral director)
I'm going to use that as an interpretation. :)
+lbonini1gaming I agree :) that's the beauty of music! Is that it can be interpreted anyway the listener wants
Dreigonix aghhhhh SAD!!!
This arrangement gave me CHILLS! +1 if you agree.
It's way too beautiful, this is one of my favorite band pieces of all time. Anything made by Eric Whitacre is amazing.
Agreed. Whitacre is such a genius and he picks the best poetry to feature.
I played it at the U of M Honor Band two years ago and it literally gave me goosebumps when I played it but I loved it
Being an audience member is one thing, but being an actual performer is just breathtaking. I was crying during the real deal performance. This describes so many emotions!! I love this piece!
just when I thought this song couldn't get more beautiful I discover it for band...I love band music so much...nothing is more romantic.
#ClarinetSolos
What's your favorite instrument. Is it oboe? Because if it is, immplay oboe, saxophone, bassoon, used to play clarinet, and piano. OOF
This song practically moves me to tears every time I hear it its so beautiful
I'm playing this piece on french horn and it is beautiful
+Mary Katherine Mozingo I'm playing the first trumpet part :)
Mary Katherine Mozingo I used to play it. I come listen to this song to remind me of my old band in middle school :,(
Mary Katherine Mozingo I'm playing now and I love it
Mary Katherine Mozingo french horns when played correctly are gorgeous instruments and i love them so much 💖💖
I played it on French Horn a year or 2 ago also and your right it is so beautiful
When playing this my senior year, I cried every single time we ever touched it... Rehearsals, region, state, the concert. It is my favorite song, filled with emotional ties & memories. So beautiful!
I had the second clarinet solo in this song... Beautiful.
the counter melody > the melody
Me too! The only thing is it’s hard to go over the break, and the Bb’s sound bad. We recently had a change of band director, so I hope our sub for the rest of the year likes it and lets us play if for our spring concert
This is the most beautiful song to ever be played by any band
Holy crap why does this have to be so beautiful? Played this as a third clarinet my freshman year, and it was the last song I played before we were shut down due to covid. We got the seal, too. It was also the last song that we played with our old band director before he retired (like 3 years past when he should’ve), and it hit him harder than all the band combined. He specifically wanted this song to be his last with us, and I don’t think he could’ve picked a better one. God, it hits me right in the feels.
As a Senior coming back to this comment, this song is definitely bittersweet for me. It’s a gorgeous song, but now that time has been able to run it’s course, this song still has a place in my heart. I have had so many experiences since then. So much has changed. I still follow my old band director on insta, and he’s out there living his best life, judging WGI and running. I am not even close to the same person that I was when I wrote this comment. Time flies y’all.
@@zachrobinson8357 How are you doing now?
This was one of my high school senior band's favourite songs to play, and now that most of us have graduated I feel like crying every time I hear it. But I love it soooo much!!!
as a choral student i never thought i would prefer a band arrangement over a choral one.
Caril i love your comment , This divine lullaby sounds really lovely played by yjis very fine band , it makes a change to hear a band playing this rather lovely lullaby instead of voices lol JANE X
I played alto saxophone most of my early school life, but in high school I switched to baritone (at request of my band teacher) and for the first three years of band I hated baritone sax’s lack of Melodies. But this song made me really appreciate the importance of the low support. The deep crescendos & decrescendos behind the melody give me more chills than any part of this arrangement, it gives this piece life, a feeling of breathing the music in - which I find beautiful.
I cried so hard when we played this. it's so beautiful.
I'm playing this in a concert tomorrow. Such a lovely piece, and I have the fortune of being in an honors band, so my fellow musicians really do this justice. I nearly cried after just a few measures; I can just imagine a little seal pup being rocked to sleep in the gentle waves.
Lucky. We have no honors band. I would love to play this, but I fear our band will bomb it....
Just performed this song in an honors group about 3 hours ago. Band has changed me so much and I will never be the same without it.
Same here, but when I play this as the final song at graduation I will be bawling
playing this tomorrow it sounds amazing‼
Now I'm all tired
flyingseal 😂😂😂
This is hands down the most wholesome band piece to ever exist
i play the flute in this and can i just say it's freaking gorgeous. when i first heard it i felt so overwhelmed and emotional that i burst out crying. i still get overwhelmed and feel so vulnerable but in a good way? does that make sense
Eric Whitacre is an actual genius. This is just so beautiful. As a trumpet, I can say that this is by far the most beautiful song that I have ever had the privilege to play.
one measure into this and I am weeping. the choral version is exquisite, heartbreakingly tender.
This is such a beautiful piece. I cried when I played this in highschool. The student who did the piano part was amazing. He brought me to tears whenever he played.
This is the first piece i ever heard and thought “Wow. The clarinet part for this is amazing”. I play horn
knowing that the movie this song was supposed to be in was never made because of kung fu panda really makes me sad :(
I'd much rather have seen this one.
Sarah Young ditto :,(
Yeah, it would've been way better
We are singing this in my choir and I feel as though i am unworthy of such a beautiful piece.
Had the joy of playing piano for this my senior year of high school with our wind ensemble, love this song so much!!!
the feeling this piece gives me is indescribable. my entire body just fills up with this crazy emotion and for a few minutes i feel kind of fulfilled in a way.
My band is playing that this year. And I just love this piece especially the clarinets
I'm playing the piano part for our concert next week and it's really moving each and every time I hear/play this piece.
We are plying this piece later this month. I play first flute and I absolutely love this song. Its something you can really get into and be emotional.
#1stClarinets
Alex Meurer I don't think there is a piccolo part. At least we didn't get one. I suck at Piccolo too! Its similar but totally different at the same time.
There is not a piccolo part
We played this piece today for our school's Veteran's Day assembly. I learned the second clarinet part in three rehearsals. Veteran's Day band is only about 20 people and we had three clarinets. ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE WITH THIS PIECE
I recently performed this piece (on piano) with my school's concert band/wind ensemble at the Meyerson center in Dallas. It was honestly the most amazing musical experience I have ever had, and probably ever will.
Thank you Eric Whitacre for this beautiful piece of art.
I'm playing the 2nd clarinet solo part with my friend and I was tearing up when we heard it in class.
Ok, the solos are great, (I play first clarinet part on this, beautiful solos) the second clarinet solos at the measure after the first fermata in the piece is just awesome
This piece made me cry. Such a beautiful song with a beautiful meaning.
what a change to hear this delightful classic played by a band its rather lovely ....all the instrument parts are selective and sound stunning xx
played this song at state during a very pivotal point in my life-this video makes me violently sob without fail every time ✌🏻
I play Clarinet for this song and I think it's amazing how we get a solo and everything!
I'm the bass clar. For our group, I must say this price made me cry #RealManTears #YHS9thgrade
Nate Dutton I am also the bass clar. for my high school band and we are playing this for the spring concert of my senior year and I'm so happy and I cried when I heard this song for the first time as well, the chords still give me chills xD. Unfortunately my group is only about 30 performers and we lack many of the color instruments, as is I am the only bass clarinet.
im the only bass clarinet in a group of 200
+Nate Dutton I was on trombone and didn't do jack.
I played a solo for clarinet in this too! Just recently over the summer actually, and I fell in love with this song almost immediately
literal chills all the way through...
Never fails to make me cry
Such an incredible piece of music. Moving musical experiences happen during songs like this.
One of my favorite songs
This may be the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life. Our women's choir is singing this for contest, but this is so much more moving.
Played this in Tri-state honor band.loved playing the song. Beautiful. *"thumbs up" to the video*
The clarinet part for this piece is beautiful, simple, and easy. I listen to it every day, amazing piece!
I’m playing the glockenspiel part on a set of orchestra bells made for my grandfather over 110 years ago. Deep feels every time we play it.
I'm playing this in band and I can't get enough of it. This song just evokes so much emotion! I love it!!
I play the flute in the band I'm in, and I don't think I could play as beautiful as the people in that song are playing, it's so beautiful and legato.
my heart melts at 2:14
I conducted this piece for my hs band in junior year and it was the most magical experience I could have endured, it is such a beautiful piece ❤
Played this with 8th grade Carrollton Junior High School Band. First chair Clarinet, the whole crowd was in tears and most of the band. Such a beautiful piece, with such emotion. Definatly will remember that night.
#1stChairClarinets
pretty sure at least a thousand of these views is me
And I’m the other 3,000
I want to play this in symphonic band I have to convince my director now
we are playing it and it's great
We're playing it in our band too
IT'S AMAZING TO PLAY. The Memphis Honor Band that I was in learned it in 2-3 days
this is such a gorgeous piece, brings me so much memories from back in last year before our woodwind director moved schools .-.
Playing French horn for this piece in Symphonic Band. The MIDI they used doesn't quite capture the right sound of an F horn, but who cares, it's one of the best sounding songs in the world.
Dally Boy you actually think this is a midi lol
love this song. I'm playing this with my band. I'm third clarinet. and we will be going to festival with it and two other pieces
We did this in choir last year, and it was absolutely gorgeous. I transferred to a different school and now the bad is doing it this year. It's one of my favorite choral?band pieces. So gorgeous!
This song was the "senior sendoff" for the senior band kids in my highschool starting my senior year.... awesome.
I played this last year with my school's concert band. It's the nicest peace I think we've ever played, it even brought a tear to our conductors eye during a competition, it was so beautiful :')
My middle school played this when I was in seventh grade. We all enjoyed it!
This song can pull on my emotions so much no matter what time I’m going through
I played the piano part for this in my college band it was awesome. I was also super scared of performing and blacked out for a sec during the performance and played a wrong note.
One of the only songs I try not to cry to when I play it in band. Tears of joy and happiness
We played this as a tribute for children who had lost their lives in school shootings during a winter concert. It was hard to play through this as a trumpet player, but we had a harpist and everything for the piano parts. Every parent was crying through the theater.
i had such a great experience playing this. It will be an unforgettable piece. so beautiful
How lovely to hear this delightful band play this lovely lullaby ,, it puts a different slant on the presentation of a most divine classic , its the bet ever i adore it x Long live the Ukraine and its people 19/ 3 /2022 x 🌞🌞
My Junior High band is playing this. I'm so glad that we get to play such a beautiful piece.
I really hope our band does this piece justice. It’s truly beautiful
I remember being in band. In Jr High, and high school. I would've loved to play this. I was always obsessed with playing ballads like this, vs the songs that are fast and full of runs. Runs are fun, they are. But there's nothing quite like playing a ballad like this and putting your emotion into it. THAT feeling is unmatched. Right now I teach color guard and I love it. But songs like this remind me of band, and how much I miss the people I did it with. Some days I pick up my clarinet and I remember the pieces I played, and how much fun it is to play an instrument. I really do genuinely miss it a lot. Lots of fun memories that I won't ever forget
im in choir and we sang this last year, but it makes me smile to hear the band play it... i used to play clarinet as well as sing so it's nice
we played this piece for wind ensemble and i don't think i'll ever forget it. it's so beautiful
Absolutely love this piece. Beautiful.
We are playing this song for my high school concert band and I love it sooo much every time I hear it I get chills
I'm so loving this piece of music
We're playing this in band for our next concert. Even in sight reading, the song was bringing tears to my eyes. If they had actually made the movie, I best this would have won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
I still remember getting goosebumps when playing this in an Honor Band. Still one of my favorite pieces I've played of all time.
Started playing this with my band at school - loving it 😍
Not gonna lie. I listened to this over and over while crying in a corner for like 3 hours. Eric Whitacre needs to score a Pixar film.
Gorgeous. When I teach, I plan on getting my band/choir to play this piece.
this song made me cry. this piece is gorgeous
AH THE CHILLS
I played flute for this song btw :)
this song actually makes me tear up, it's so beautiful!
Breathtakingly beautiful!
We’re marching this as our second movement
I personally are playing this for our marching band this year. i play the second synth. but next year i’ll be playing baritone saxophone. awesome peace of music. glad my director chose this peace of music.
Im playing this with my band and it sounds just as beautiful as this does! Brilliant playing in this piece!
eric whitacre was a genius at picking poems out to write for. there are many other composers that are great at it, too, but whitacre is a true genius.
Played this in high school, I believe it was my sophomore year. Makes me miss high school so very much.
Really beautifull ! What a nice and peacefull sound !
Pine Tree junior high band used this for contest and we won first division, best in class, and Superior. so we were the best of our area. this was last year 2014-2015
I'm bass clarinet on this song it's a boring part but it's gorgeous
Katie Cronan I know right, I'm a bass too
Tenor sax too, but I like the alto sax part
Katie Cronan I play bass clarinet too and I think the part for this piece is amazing. This recording doesn't serve it justice but there are parts were the bass clarinet accompanies the piano with some of the moving lines and I can't help but get the chills every time I play them. I know this comment is two years old but I just had to say something since I am currently playing this piece and love it.
@@ScrimmyBunglets ik this is four years old but i play bass on this one too! my fav part is after the second stop.
This is my first time hearing the band version, and it's absolutely GORGEOUS! Then again, that applies to all of Whitacre's great works. :)
Absolutely beautiful piece of music:)
I played this on trombone for Memphis Honor Band 2018. It was by far my favorite piece just because of how beautiful it is.
I miss band so much. I really wish I would’ve stayed in it for highschool. I like this piece ❤️