It's doable ! I was listening to this again on the bus and way to Wells to pick up a snack lunch and get to the evensong service. At the Cathedral. No ' Look to the day ' today. Coming back to this - it's still within capacity for me! I was almost singing it on the bus. Doable is the perfect description.
I recently came upon a poorly-reproduced photocopy of this arrangement online, then found Faithsong with a Google search and -- being a piano player -- was excited to download the original PDF and watch the video. As an atheist who's deeply moved by fine music (both secular and religious), by honest emotion and by good will between all people, I want to thank you, Rachel, for creating such beauty and such a rich expression of the human experience.
The transition from unison singing to syncopated harmonies is flawless and is not easy. Is that Mom playing piano? A masterful and moving arrangement performed my a wonderful family.
Hmm! Very well done - I'm very familiar with Amazing Grace indeed. Partly done in Scotland as a pipe tune for Bagpipes and the words by a former Slave Ship Captain and was the hymn of the Slavery Abolitionist movement led by William Wilberforce in the late 18th century into the first three decades of the 19th century.
Thank you Stephen. Yes, we love this hymn arrangement. The history of Amazing Grace is touching. A life changing experience for the slave ship captain put into this beautiful hymn that has been such an influence for good.
This will be the perfect arrangement for a funeral I need to sing for at short notice, and thank you for your performance, so that if need be, I can direct the others who will perform it with me here!
Thank you for your kind, generous comments, Mari. So grateful you enjoyed our music. 🌺 You may be interested to know that our full album is available: Enjoy! ITunes, music.apple.com/us/artist/the-smith-ensemble/1362320518 Amazon Music: www.amazon.com/Things-Come-Thee-Smith-Ensemble/dp/B08CBLMJF5 Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6Hv6vKcfx47sl3nnZYZgTa?si=0ji47526TA2tHbbNnvsYNg Thank you again!
Right, I think that I will tell you that second story involving the Wells Cathedral Choir and of how a performance of the hymn by Rev Daniel Schutte and the Cathedral Choir of Wells. Managed to deflect a fear I had of an operation in hospital. This particular hymn - based on Isiah 6 - ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky' had been performed by many others. But the story of how truly scared I was - goes back to July 2021. And a hospital appointment that revealed that one of my kidneys had picked up a infection and in matter of fact, there were two choices. Have a operation, and possibly live another 30 years or don't, and end up having half of that, or less. The diagnosis was one of the most traumatic ones.. I chose to go ahead and have the kidney withdrawn.. The appointment for that, was early September. No good. Because there was the Chorister Trust Service at Wells Cathedral, and there was no way that I was going to miss that. I had it shifted to October 15th. I did go to that service And I told some members of the Cathedral Choir, That I was going through with it.. But I didn't know true fear until that morning of the 15th October of that year. I had arranged to have a Taxi take me, to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for the operation. It was in the morning of that day, but I had timed it too well. I arrived at the hospital with almost an hour and a half before time. It gave time for me to suffer from a good bout of nerves, and utter fear! I had - also taken my padd with me, and fortunately the Wells Cathedral Choir had put together that hymn and I heard it. For if I hadn't heard it.. I would have probably done a runner straight back home. I was THAT scared! The version of that hymn ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky' by the Wells Cathedral Choir convinced me, that the only way round this fear - was to go ahead with the operation! I came through the operation which went with no hitches at all. Of course, my family couldn't visit me, in the hospital at the time.. My brother had a stroke in June 2021 and my late Sister in Law couldn't come - due to the pandemic! If I hadn't heard that hymn.. I would have run! No doubt on this point, at all ! Actually I had taken a hymnbook with me, along with some CD's and a personal CD PLAYER. And some 70 hours later. I took to singing some hymns at Ward 7a at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. One of these? ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky'! After that operation.. I was singing it as well. And two Nurses who were just going off duty, heard it and one said.. " That's wonderful!!!" Of course going through a serious operation is no joke and my lung capacity was slightly different after it. But to manage to do so, and do so, despite being a third depleted from the operation itself.. I still sang that hymn.. In that ward.. I guess that it's more out of relief, that I had come through the operation with flying colours.. Still, to do so! And despite being sorely afraid as well! 69 % capacity was more than adequate for that hymn. It gave me a second reason, to really appreciate the tremendous ' shove!' to go through with it. In 2022. I actually thanked them .. I remain grateful for that! And of course, I did - as you know - met John Rutter in May of that year.. I once had two top favourite hymns.. And I revisited a previous list of favourite hymns in 2022. A new third place hymn catapulted into third place. The hymn? ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky' words by Rev Daniel Schutte, based on Isaiah 6. That hymn remains in that third place, it won't be changing at all. Behind ' Dear Lord and Father ' and 'Abide with me' . I have a very keen regard for that reason for it. I have taken to this revelation, by being much more engaged in life. 2022 saw me look into paddle boarding. I quite like it. And have re-engaged in it. 9 seconds on a paddle board standing, has now just over 50% improved.. 20 seconds in fact.. though not without a few tumbles into the water at Saltford between Bristol and Bath. On the River Avon at Saltford. But I have a much stronger sense of determination by consequence of this. Of course, I returned to Choral duties almost a month after the Operation. And back to work, two weeks later.. It's nice to be useful again. And still am. I do hope that you like this story as well! It perhaps shows that if a fear exists - the only way round this. Is to face these head on! I don't know if you have ever done ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky' I hope that we can get to do so.. One day.. That version by the Wells Cathedral Choir, is very special and important to me! It always will do.
This is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. Our fears are real and can either crush us or strengthen us when faced. I was reminded yesterday while visiting an elderly neighbor just how important it is as musicians to continue sharing our talents so that others as well as ourselves feel strengthened and uplifted by the power of music. We will have to check out that hymn, I the Lord of Sea and Sky.” We aren’t familiar with that. It sounds wonderful. We love Abide With Me. So comforting. We played an arrangement of that at my husband’s grandmother’s funeral. Thanks again for taking the time to share. Continue to go forth with faith! Onward and upward! 🎶🙏
@@thesmithensemble4053 Rev Daniel Schutte, composer and lyricist ! It's got it's basis from Isiah 6. And I believe that there's been versions by Daniel O'Donnell and the Wells Cathedral Choir.
I have a further story to tell. Last Sunday morning service was for our Vicar of St Martin's Church in Knowle, Bristol and she was to become the New Archdeacon of Bristol Cathedral. As a choir we had practiced the Rutter Blessing and a traditional anthem for that service. After the service there was a bit of an extra surprise for her. I actually sang a traditional Maori song - in the native Maori language for her - And it was!!!! Pokarekare Ana for her! There's a bit of a story attatched to this. I had originally been practicing it to construct a bridge of sympathy and support from Britain to New Zealand with the intention of giving both sympathy and support to the people of New Zealand, who had suffered a terrible atrocity by one individual who went on the rampage in March 2019 - I had spent a year figuring it out. But of course, what happened in 2020 - was the Pandemic! It was intended to tag a hymn to it ' Beauty for Brokeness' in fact. And then I would have taken up the slack and in Maori sang 'Pokekarekare Ana' but the Pandemic screwed up the notional idea. However, I had a surprise for Becky Waring and after the service on the 4th August of this year 2024 ! I had a go at it and .. Well! I think that I surprised myself as well. And it went down very well. Oh and it's year of origin was 1914! I was well commended for it. I managed to go through it - Acapella - with no flaws! I don't regret doing so! The translation of it was " I will write a letter to you!' at least in part. It seemed to be appropriate.
So glad your surprise worked out so well! So sorry your other planning was delayed, but it sounds like you added a beautiful part to the service. Thank you for sharing! “All things shall work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)
It's doable ! I was listening to this again on the bus and way to Wells to pick up a snack lunch and get to the evensong service. At the Cathedral. No ' Look to the day ' today.
Coming back to this - it's still within capacity for me! I was almost singing it on the bus. Doable is the perfect description.
I hope you are able to learn it and sing along! Love your optimism! Amazing Grace. 🎶How sweet it is. 🙏
Just what I needed to hear this evening-full of joy and hope ❤ Thank you Smith family for sharing your music!
So glad you enjoyed it Kimberlee! Thank you for your kindness. So nice to hear from you. 💛
super arrangement! and super family harmonies!
Ron Williams Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it.
I recently came upon a poorly-reproduced photocopy of this arrangement online, then found Faithsong with a Google search and -- being a piano player -- was excited to download the original PDF and watch the video. As an atheist who's deeply moved by fine music (both secular and religious), by honest emotion and by good will between all people, I want to thank you, Rachel, for creating such beauty and such a rich expression of the human experience.
Thank you so much Ted. So grateful you enjoyed it. And yes, a huge thank you to Rachel for such a beautiful arrangement that we have enjoyed singing.
There is no higher standard of choral music than this! Blessings
Thank you for your kind response. So grateful you enjoyed it. 🙏🎶🌼
The transition from unison singing to syncopated harmonies is flawless and is not easy. Is that Mom playing piano? A masterful and moving arrangement performed my a wonderful family.
Thank you for your kind thoughts! They are so appreciated. 🌷Yes. Mom is playing the piano. 🎶
Hmm! Very well done - I'm very familiar with Amazing Grace indeed. Partly done in Scotland as a pipe tune for Bagpipes and the words by a former Slave Ship Captain and was the hymn of the Slavery Abolitionist movement led by William Wilberforce in the late 18th century into the first three decades of the 19th century.
Thank you Stephen. Yes, we love this hymn arrangement. The history of Amazing Grace is touching. A life changing experience for the slave ship captain put into this beautiful hymn that has been such an influence for good.
Really love your sound..
Nazareth Nababan thank you! 🌺
I love it and am so touched! Say Hi from Taiwan!
Thank you Caleb from Taiwan! So grateful you enjoyed it! Kind regards from the USA!
This will be the perfect arrangement for a funeral I need to sing for at short notice, and thank you for your performance, so that if need be, I can direct the others who will perform it with me here!
So grateful you can share this beautiful song at a funeral soon. Hope it will bring much peace and comfort. 🙏
Stunning Family! Wonderful talent. Wow!!!!
Thank you for your kind, generous comments, Mari. So grateful you enjoyed our music. 🌺
You may be interested to know that our full album is available: Enjoy!
ITunes, music.apple.com/us/artist/the-smith-ensemble/1362320518
Amazon Music: www.amazon.com/Things-Come-Thee-Smith-Ensemble/dp/B08CBLMJF5
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6Hv6vKcfx47sl3nnZYZgTa?si=0ji47526TA2tHbbNnvsYNg
Thank you again!
Right, I think that I will tell you that second story involving the Wells Cathedral Choir and of how a performance of the hymn by Rev Daniel Schutte and the Cathedral Choir of Wells. Managed to deflect a fear I had of an operation in hospital.
This particular hymn - based on Isiah 6 - ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky' had been performed by many others. But the story of how truly scared I was - goes back to July 2021. And a hospital appointment that revealed that one of my kidneys had picked up a infection and in matter of fact, there were two choices. Have a operation, and possibly live another 30 years or don't, and end up having half of that, or less. The diagnosis was one of the most traumatic ones.. I chose to go ahead and have the kidney withdrawn.. The appointment for that, was early September. No good. Because there was the Chorister Trust Service at Wells Cathedral, and there was no way that I was going to miss that. I had it shifted to October 15th. I did go to that service And I told some members of the Cathedral Choir, That I was going through with it.. But I didn't know true fear until that morning of the 15th October of that year. I had arranged to have a Taxi take me, to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for the operation. It was in the morning of that day, but I had timed it too well. I arrived at the hospital with almost an hour and a half before time. It gave time for me to suffer from a good bout of nerves, and utter fear! I had - also taken my padd with me, and fortunately the Wells Cathedral Choir had put together that hymn and I heard it. For if I hadn't heard it.. I would have probably done a runner straight back home. I was THAT scared! The version of that hymn ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky' by the Wells Cathedral Choir convinced me, that the only way round this fear - was to go ahead with the operation! I came through the operation which went with no hitches at all. Of course, my family couldn't visit me, in the hospital at the time.. My brother had a stroke in June 2021 and my late Sister in Law couldn't come - due to the pandemic! If I hadn't heard that hymn.. I would have run! No doubt on this point, at all !
Actually I had taken a hymnbook with me, along with some CD's and a personal CD PLAYER. And some 70 hours later. I took to singing some hymns at Ward 7a at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. One of these? ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky'! After that operation.. I was singing it as well. And two Nurses who were just going off duty, heard it and one said.. " That's wonderful!!!" Of course going through a serious operation is no joke and my lung capacity was slightly different after it. But to manage to do so, and do so, despite being a third depleted from the operation itself.. I still sang that hymn.. In that ward.. I guess that it's more out of relief, that I had come through the operation with flying colours.. Still, to do so! And despite being sorely afraid as well! 69 % capacity was more than adequate for that hymn. It gave me a second reason, to really appreciate the tremendous ' shove!' to go through with it. In 2022. I actually thanked them .. I remain grateful for that! And of course, I did - as you know - met John Rutter in May of that year..
I once had two top favourite hymns.. And I revisited a previous list of favourite hymns in 2022. A new third place hymn catapulted into third place. The hymn? ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky' words by Rev Daniel Schutte, based on Isaiah 6. That hymn remains in that third place, it won't be changing at all. Behind ' Dear Lord and Father ' and 'Abide with me' . I have a very keen regard for that reason for it.
I have taken to this revelation, by being much more engaged in life. 2022 saw me look into paddle boarding. I quite like it. And have re-engaged in it. 9 seconds on a paddle board standing, has now just over 50% improved.. 20 seconds in fact.. though not without a few tumbles into the water at Saltford between Bristol and Bath. On the River Avon at Saltford. But I have a much stronger sense of determination by consequence of this. Of course, I returned to Choral duties almost a month after the Operation. And back to work, two weeks later.. It's nice to be useful again. And still am.
I do hope that you like this story as well! It perhaps shows that if a fear exists - the only way round this. Is to face these head on! I don't know if you have ever done ' I, the Lord of Sea and Sky' I hope that we can get to do so.. One day..
That version by the Wells Cathedral Choir, is very special and important to me! It always will do.
This is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. Our fears are real and can either crush us or strengthen us when faced. I was reminded yesterday while visiting an elderly neighbor just how important it is as musicians to continue sharing our talents so that others as well as ourselves feel strengthened and uplifted by the power of music. We will have to check out that hymn, I the Lord of Sea and Sky.” We aren’t familiar with that. It sounds wonderful. We love Abide With Me. So comforting. We played an arrangement of that at my husband’s grandmother’s funeral.
Thanks again for taking the time to share. Continue to go forth with faith! Onward and upward! 🎶🙏
@@thesmithensemble4053 Rev Daniel Schutte, composer and lyricist ! It's got it's basis from Isiah 6. And I believe that there's been versions by Daniel O'Donnell and the Wells Cathedral Choir.
I have a further story to tell. Last Sunday morning service was for our Vicar of St Martin's Church in Knowle, Bristol and she was to become the New Archdeacon of Bristol Cathedral. As a choir we had practiced the Rutter Blessing and a traditional anthem for that service. After the service there was a bit of an extra surprise for her. I actually sang a traditional Maori song - in the native Maori language for her - And it was!!!! Pokarekare Ana for her! There's a bit of a story attatched to this. I had originally been practicing it to construct a bridge of sympathy and support from Britain to New Zealand with the intention of giving both sympathy and support to the people of New Zealand, who had suffered a terrible atrocity by one individual who went on the rampage in March 2019 - I had spent a year figuring it out. But of course, what happened in 2020 - was the Pandemic! It was intended to tag a hymn to it ' Beauty for Brokeness' in fact. And then I would have taken up the slack and in Maori sang 'Pokekarekare Ana' but the Pandemic screwed up the notional idea.
However, I had a surprise for Becky Waring and after the service on the 4th August of this year 2024 ! I had a go at it and .. Well! I think that I surprised myself as well. And it went down very well. Oh and it's year of origin was 1914! I was well commended for it. I managed to go through it - Acapella - with no flaws! I don't regret doing so! The translation of it was " I will write a letter to you!' at least in part. It seemed to be appropriate.
So glad your surprise worked out so well! So sorry your other planning was delayed, but it sounds like you added a beautiful part to the service. Thank you for sharing! “All things shall work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)